Results of a sixteen year study reviewing DUI arrests and their outcomes in Volusia County, Florida, (Daytona/New Smyrna/Deland) are crystal clear, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal. First time offenders who hired a private attorney had their charges reduced or dropped at a rate more than double compared to those represented by a public defender.
The study looked at all DUI charges from 1992, when prosecution for the crime was initially “amped up” near current levels, thru 2008, and is believed to mirror patterns throughout the state. Sixty-four percent (64%), …

What’s in your medicine cabinet may be more dangerous than you realize. We all know the widely publicized perils associated with drug use, whether it involves illegal drugs or prescribed medications. Few people are aware, however, that simple possession of even small amounts of commonly used painkillers can result in lengthy prison sentences.

The Florida legislature has been on a crusade to make penalties for drug trafficking here among the toughest in the nation. We applaud this sentiment, recognizing the damage to individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole from drug abuse. In their zeal to make illicit sales of controlled substances less tempting, however…

Anger management counseling consists of  techniques, psychological and therapeutic, utilized to relieve stress caused by anger. The often simple process has proven effective helping people recognize triggers and control their emotions. Everyone is angry at times – it is a normal emotion we all experience; however, for many, their reactions go too far, harming others and leading to negative consequences. Counseling identifies situations likely to bring on such responses (they are different for each of us), and demonstrates alternative methods to avoid the damage caused by losing one’s temper.
Counseling is …

Click on this link for an interesting look at the numbers behind alleged crimes in the USA:
http:// www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

Child Abuse Prevention Month
By Linda Roush
Ms. Roush is the Director of Community Relations for Families First Network of Lakeview and the coordinator for Circuit One Community Alliance. She holds degrees from both The University of West Florida and Florida State University, and has worked for more than 20 years in various capacities for both Lakeview and Baptist Health Care. Click on this link, http://www.familiesfirstnetwork.org for more information.
Can you prevent child abuse and neglect? April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, so now is a good time to ask what can be …