Marks and Spencer and Global Environmental Factors Essay

Marks and Spencer and Global Environmental Factors - Essay Example Marks and Spencer is a highly successful giant operating in the UK retail sector. The success of the organization has been due to its clear mission statement and vision. It has managed to become a powerful and vibrant brand in the UK for the past one hundred years. A diverse product line enables the organization to achieve efficiency and effectiveness. It has premium products that cater to the unique requirements of various segments. Marks and Spencer pursues a dynamic business strategy in which its tries to give the consumer a sense of attachment and feeling with specific brands. This is a highly successful strategy that has enabled excellence and quality at operational and strategic levels. Marketing operations of the organization is also based upon applying smart and prudent strategies. Marks and Spencer conducts an extensive research and appraisal of the business environment. It determines clear and precise goals based upon its strengths and weaknesses. Appropriate business strat egies are formulated in order to take advantage of business opportunities. The organization seeks to use its core competencies.The rapid rise of globalization has created tremendous opportunities for business organizations. However it has led to significant challenges for business processes and structures. In the twenty first century, marketing staff cannot ignore the importance of global environmental factors. These factors need to be studied and analyzed in order to achieve optimum results.

Contributions of systemic ideas to psychological therapeutic practice

Contributions of systemic ideas to psychological therapeutic practice The systemic approach is essentially a contextual approach to therapy. That is it views the presence of illness or dysfunction as being located within the family system rather than in one of its individual members (Asen, 2002). Practitioners use the term systemic rather than family therapy, because being at the receiving end of family therapy can have strong connotations of blame (Asen, 2002). Systemic ideas have led to major contributions to modern day psychological therapeutic practice, for example, the premise that multi-systems account for the problem and not just the individual experiencing difficulties, a commitment to positive connotation and a non-blaming approach. Several different versions of systemic therapy have emerged over the years. It began with the initial concept of systems theory and cybernetics being applied to the study, and subsequently the treatment of families (Dallos Urry, 1999). In the 1950s Bateson and his colleagues studied the patterns of transaction and communication in individuals with schizophrenia. The group hypothesised that the family of the patient was forming his or her thought processes through the peculiar communication requirements imposed (Bateson et al, 1956). The family was seen as a system with homeostatic tendencies. Family members were considered as various parts of this system and seen as behaving according to a set of explicit and implicit rules that determine interpersonal behaviours and communications (Watzlawick et al; 1967). Systemic therapy developed on this view of the family as a system. It aimed to challenge and disrupt unhelpful interaction patterns and dysfunctional communications, subsequently , allowing new ways of communicating to emerge (Asen, 2002). In fact therapy based on systems theory presented itself as a radical breakthrough in the treatment of mental illness. The prevailing models of therapy at the time considered pathology as predominantly residing in the individual experiencing difficulties. With the introduction of systems theories, it came to be seen in terms of characteristics of the family system. Thus it presented an extremely diverse view of many conditions, such as depression anorexia, schizophrenia, phobias and anxieties. Dallos Urry, (1999), provide the example of a child displaying a school phobia. Systemic ideas suggest that the child might be carrying conflicts on behalf of others in the family. The childs symptoms are seen as functional; possible functions could be to ensure a role for an otherwise isolated and lonely mother, to keep a disengaged father involved, and to distract attention from unresolved conflicts in the marriage (Dallos Urry, 1999 p.165). Importantly, this implied that individual treatme nts might not only be ineffective but could actually exacerbate the problem. To just treat the child in the above example, could serve to reinforce the erroneous view that the problem was residing in the child rather than tackling the causes, which could lie within the family system. It was this breakthrough of seeing the illness not solely as residing in the individual but in the persons family system that could indeed be regarded as one of systemic therapys greatest contributions to psychological therapeutic practice. Thus therapists began to examine the patterns within systems or the family surrounding the individual experiencing difficulties. This first wave of the application of systemic ideas became known as first-order cybernetics (Dallos Urry, 1999) and are briefly outlined below. FIRST-ORDER CYBERNETICS Structural approach Initially Minuchin and colleagues, (1974), proposed the structural approach. This approach assumes a normative family model, claiming families function particularly well when certain family structures prevail (Asen, 2002). Normative families were seen as those with embedded structures, such as hierarchies between generations within a family. It was considered important that these structures had semi-permeable boundaries permitting a sufficient flow of information up and down between hierarchies (Asen, 2002). The aim of structural family therapy is to make a particular family structure approximate the typical (normative) model. Challenging directly absent or rigid boundaries, unbalancing the equilibrium by temporarily joining with one family member against the others, or setting homework tasks designed to restore hierarchies, are some techniques used within a structural approach (Asen, 2002). As mentioned above seeing the problems as residing in the family system rather than the indiv idual was the ground-breaking and somewhat revolutionary at the time and a major contribution to psychological therapeutic practice. Strategic systemic therapy Strategic systemic therapy, is founded on the hypothesis that the symptom is being maintained by behaviours that seek to suppress it (Haley, 1963; Watzlawick et al, 1974). Asen (2002) provides the example of a woman with depression and low self-esteem which may elicit her partners over-protectiveness, a solution that maintains the presenting problem. A strategic therapist may re-frame the problem. For example, suggesting that the womans depression is an unselfish act designed to protect her partner from his own problems. The therapist may then prescribe a ritual whereby for a week on uneven days, the partner needs to experiment with discussing his own concerns (Asen, 2002). It is argued, by strategic therapists that once some changes are achieved in relation to the presenting symptom, a domino effect sets in affecting other interactions and behaviours in the whole family system. (Asen, 2002). The pervading problem is put into a different meaning-frame that provides new perspectives a nd therefore potentially makes new behaviours possible (Asen, 2002). Once again this reframing of the problem was innovative at the time and led to subsequent developments in therapeutic practice. SECOND ORDER CYBERNETICS Mental illnesses are indeed mental, in that they are at least 90% made up of blame, or casual attributions that are felt as blame. (Hoffman, 1993: 391) The shift towards what became known as second order cybernetics was broadly paralleled with a move in the social sciences towards constructivism and a departure from the mechanistic version of systems theory (Dallos Urry, 1999). Observations of patterns within systems were still seen as the major starting point but the emphasis was moved to an exploration of how the particular patterns within a family were shaped by their beliefs, explanations and meanings. Therapists began to make no assumptions about how family life should be and what represented a healthy family. The basic premise of this second wave of systems theories (Dallos Urry, 1999) was that the therapist and supervision team were seen as formulating certain ideas about a particular familys dynamics. These were regarded as no more than working hypothesis (Selvini Palazzoli, 1980) and it was believed there was no objective reality waiting to be discovered (Dallos Urry, 1999). It was imperative that therapists worked in teams rather than individually because it was seen as essential that the therapists continually reflected on and questioned their perceptions. The Milan systemic approach The Milan systemic approach advocated by Selvini Palazzoli and colleagues, (1978), holds great emphasis on a particular style of interviewing circular and reflexive questioning (Selvini Palazzoli et al, 1980). The approach focuses on questioning the various family members beliefs and perceptions regarding relationships. Asking each to comment and reflect on the answers given by the various other family members creates feedback that changes the fabric of family interactions (Asen, 2002). The Milan groups commitment to positive connotation produced a non- blaming approach. Selvini Palazzoli, Boscolo, Cecchin Prata ,(1980), succeeded in establishing three principles that they considered indispensible to interviewing the family correctly. They called these principles Hypothesising , Circularity, Neutrality. By hypothesising we refer to the formulation by the therapist of a hypothesis based upon the information he possesses regarding the family he is interviewing. The hypothesis establishes a starting point for his investigation as well as his verification of the validity of this hypothesis based upon specific methods and skills. If the hypothesis is proven false, the therapist must form a second hypothesis based upon the information gathered during the testing of the first (Selvini Palazzoli, et al, 1980; p.1) A fundamental point emphasized was that every hypothesis had to be systemic, therefore, include all components of the family. The hypothesis was seen as neither true or false but more or less useful. That is, it was used by the Milan group as more of an investigative tool. By investigating proposed hypotheses of the problem, whether they proved true or false, the hypothesis served its essential function of providing the team of therapists with new information. The second principle proposed by Milan systemic therapy was that of circularity. By circularity we mean the capacity of the therapist to conduct his investigation on the basis of feedback from the family in response to the information he solicits about relationships and, therefore, about difference and change (Selvini Palazzoli et al, 1980,p.4) The acquisition of such an ability demands that therapists free themselves from the linguistic and cultural condition that make them believe they are capable of thinking in terms of things so that they may rediscover the deeper truth that we still think only in terms of relationships (Bateson, 1968;p.173). Circular questioning has subsequently been described as both an information-gathering and a change-inducing procedure. According to Tomm the purpose of a systemic interview is not so much the removal of a problem but the discovery of its systemic connectedness and hence its temporal necessity (Tomm, 1985; p.44). The recognition of this necessity makes the need for alternatives self-evident and may result in a problem resolution that appears to be spontaneous (Tomm, 1985). The third principle was termed by the Milan group as neutrality: By neutrality of the therapist we mean a specific pragmatic effect that his total behaviour during the session exerts on the family (and not his intrapsychic disposition). (Selvini Palazzoli et al, 1980; p.6). Ideally if the principle of neutrality is maintained throughout a family session, the family members should feel that the therapist had not sided or supported any one family member in particular. Instead the Milan- systemic therapist builds successive alliances, the end result of which is that the therapist is allied with everyone and no one at the same time. The therapist works to provoke feedback and collects information, the more the therapist does this the less apt to make moral judgements of any kind. It is also the responsibility of the therapist to observe and neutralize as early as possible any attempt towards coalition, seduction, or privileged relationships with the therapist made by any member or subgroup of the family (Selvini Palazzoli et al, 1980). Social Constructionist approach The Social Constructionist approach is based on the reality that the therapist observes is created, with perceptions being shaped by the therapists own cultures and his/her ingrained assumptions and beliefs. This approach is influencing many systemic therapists and has led to an examination of how language shapes problem perceptions and definitions ( Asen, 2002). Family therapists are interested in the active process of meaning-making and the greater variation of possibilities the inherent ideas in particular discourses and the ideas that had been excluded (Boston, 2000). If the narratives in which clients describe their experience- or have their experience reported by mental health professionals- do not fit these experiences, then significant aspects of their lived experience will contradict the dominant narrative (White Epston, 1990: cited in Asen, 2002) and be experienced as problematic. Narrative Therapy Systemic narrative therapy proposes to help families to produce and evolve new stories and ways of understanding events to make sense of their experiences. Family and therapist together co-construct new ways of describing the individual and related family issues so that they no longer need to be viewed or experienced as problematic (Asen, 2002). Brief solution-focused therapy In brief solution-focused therapy, the problem drenched ways of talking are deliberately ignored, with the focus instead on the patterns of previous attempted solutions (De Shazer, 1985). The approach is based on the observation that symptoms and problems have a tendency to ebb and flow. During times when a symptom is less or not present, the therapist designs therapeutic strategies around the exceptions, as they form the basis of the solution. The theory postulates that by encouraging families to amplify the solution patterns of their lives, the problem patterns can be driven into the background (Asen, 2002; 231). Psychoeducational approaches Psychoeducational approaches (Leff et al, 1982; Anderson, 1983) combine behavioural interventions with structural approaches. Family members are educated about the causes and the course of the individuals mental health problem. The general aim of therapy is to reduce the emotional intensity in the family as well as the degree of physical proximity (Asen, 2002). One of the main important aspects of this approach are regular relatives groups- to share experiences and solutions- and family sessions (Kuipers et al, 2002) (Asen, 2002). Behavioural family and couple therapy Behavioural family and couple therapy views the family as a major health-enhancing resource, with each member doing his/her very best to maximise pleasant and minimise unpleasant events in the family unit and the immediate social environment (Asen, 2002). Therapists in this framework employ such things as contingency contracting or operant conditioning to illicit behavioural change. After observation and analysis of recounted family or couple interactions, concrete goals for change are targeted by both family and therapist. The therapists and families work together on behaviours which can be easily modified and changed. Initially the focus is on positive feelings, ideas and plans and once some progress has been made, the focus shifts to the expression of negative feelings, in a constructive manner so that problem resolution can be facilitated (Asen, 2002). The therapist then adopts a structured- problem solving stance to encourage family members to agree on the problems and goals, di scuss solutions and to highlight advantages and disadvantages of each proposed solution. Finally an implementation plan is put in place and the family and therapist continually review the efforts and results (Falloon, 1988). Summary In summary there are extremely diverse systemic approaches which have developed since the initial application of systems theories to therapy in the 1950s. In its very conception, systemic therapy challenged the psychiatric/medical prevailing attitudes of the time and offered an alternative to the oppressive practices of stigmatization, isolation, confinement and enforced treatments. The innovative idea of externalising the problem to the individuals wider systems and a fierce commitment to positive connotation has had a major impact on current therapeutic interventions. In addition to this, the premise of enlisting family members or system members as therapeutic agents, surrounds the individual experiencing difficulties with an invaluable support system. The next section of this paper highlights the impact and contribution of systemic ideas to therapeutic practice by discussing the evidence base for anorexia, schizophrenia and child-focused problems. ANOREXIA NERVOSA Over the past two decades family therapy has gradually established itself as an important treatment approach in eating disorders. It has been found to be particularly effective in adolescent anorexia nervosa. Its impact to the treatment of anorexia nervosa, particularly in adolescent sufferers could be considered to be one of Family therapys greatest contributions in a clinical setting. There is a consistent body of empirical evidence for the effectiveness of family -based treatments which adds significant weight to the earlier clinical and theoretical accounts of some of the pioneers of family therapy such as Minuchin (Minuchin et al. 1975) and the Milan group (Selvini Palazzoli et al. 1974) and has undoubtedly been one of the important factors in the major changes in the treatment of eating disorders that the field has witnessed in the past 20 years (Eisler, 2002). However in contradiction, alongside the evidence for the effectiveness of family therapy, there has also been growing evidence that the theoretical foundations from which this treatment has evolved are flawed. The psychosomatic family model proposed by Minuchin et al (1978) suggested that there was a specific family context within which the eating disorder developed. It was suggested that a particular family process evolved around the symptomatic behaviour in interaction with vulnerability in the child and the childs role as mediator in cross generational alliances (Minuchin et al. 1975) (cited in Eisler, 2002). Minuchin et al. (1975) emphasised the evolving and interactive nature of the process and saw the resulting psychosomatic family as a necessary condition for the development of the eating disorder. The evidence for the psychosomatic family is weak and more recent findings have indicated that families in which an eating disorder sufferer is present are heterogenous group. This heterogeneity is not only with respect to socio-demographic characteristics but also in terms of the nature of the relationships within the family and the emotional climate and patterns of interactions (Eisler 1995). Regardless of whether the family has an impact on the aetiology of the eating disorder, the major impact of an eating disorder, on family life, cannot be denied. As time goes on food, eating behaviours and the concerns that they give rise to begin to permeate the entire family fabric, every relationship in the family, influencing daily family routines, coping and problem solving behaviours.(Eisler, 2002, p.292). Due to the monumental impact of the disorder on the entire family, an intervention that includes the entire family seems logical. The most important facet of systemic therapy is that the family is seen as resource. It is important to explore with the family where things have got stuck and to help them to re-discover some of the resources that they have as a family so that they can become unstuck and start looking for new solutions to the problems (Eisler, 2002). As mentioned previously there is a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of systemic family therapy in the treatment of anorexia, in particular adolescent anorexia nervosa. The initial studies were uncontrolled follow up studies. The first study of family therapy with patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa was conducted by Minuchin and colleagues (1975). Their study involved 53 anorexic patients, just over half of whom started receiving inpatient treatment in conjunction with family therapy. Some patients were also seen individually. The results were extremely positive, the researchers reported a recovery rate of 86%, however the study has been heavily criticised for its methodological weaknesses (the evaluations were conducted by members of the clinical team, there was no comparison treatment and the length of follow-up varied from 18 months to 7 years ) (Eisler, 2002). A similar study conducted by Martin (1985) showed positive results comparable to that of Minuchin and colleagues study. The research was a five year follow up of 25 adolescent anorexia nervosa patients (mean age 14.9 years), with a short duration of illness (8.1 months). At the end of the treatment period there had been significant improvements, although only 23% would have met the Morgan/Russel criteria for good outcome, 45% for intermediate outcome and 32% poor outcome. The results at follow-up were 80% having good outcome, 4% intermediate and the remaining patients either still in treatment (12%) or relapsed (4%). Two other studies (Dare, 1983; Mayer, 1994) used family therapy as the only treatment intervention and found that 90% of patients had made significant improvements or were recovered at follow up. However, both of these studies were small (12 and 11 patients). A third lager study, conducted by Stierlin weber, (1987, 1989), took place with families seen at the Heidelberg Centre over a period of 10 years and adds to the evidence that adolescents and probably also young adults, do well in family therapy (Eisler, 2002). To date there has not been very many randomized clinical trials in anorexia nervosa and the few that there is having been relatively small. Russell and colleagues (1987), compared family therapy and individual therapy and found that adolescent patients with a short duration faired significantly better with family therapy than the control treatment (individual therapy). The findings were however, inconclusive for those with duration of illness of more than three years who mostly had a poor outcome. Eisler (1997), conducted a five-year follow up of this study and showed that in the adolescent subgroup who had a short history of illness, those who received family therapy continued to do well with 90% having a good outcome. In comparison while those that had received the individual therapy also improved, nearly half still had significant eating disorder symptoms. This finding suggests that the benefits of family therapy can still be detected, 5 years after the end of treatment (Eisler, 2 002). Several other important studies have compared different types of family therapy. Two such studies were Eisler et al (2000), and LeGrange and colleagues (1992). Both researchers compared Conjoint Family Therapy (CFT) and Separated Family Therapy (SFT) in which the adolescent was seen on their own and the parents were seen in a separate session with the same therapist. Overall, the results of both studies showed improvements in both the CFT group and the SFT group. The study by Eisler and colleagues, suggested that on individual psychological measures and measures of family functioning there was significantly more change in the CFT group. Similarly, a study by Robin et al (1999), also investigated the differences between two forms of family therapy. Researchers compared conjoint family therapy, which they described as behavioural family systems therapy BFST, with ego-orientated individual therapy EOIT. The EOIT consisted of individual therapy for the patient on a weekly basis, combined with fortnightly meetings with the parents. Robin and colleagues, (1999) found that by the end of treatment, both the BFST (similar to the Eisler, CFT group ) and the EOIT group patients had significantly improved, with 67% reaching target weight by the end of treatment. A one year follow up found that 75% had reached their target weight. The research found that BFST led to significantly greater weight gain than EOIT both at the end of treatment and at follow-up (Robin et al. 1999). Both groups produced comparably large improvements in eating attitudes, depression and self-reported eating-related family conflict. Furthermore a decreas e in maternal negative communication and an increase in positive communication was found in the BFST group but not the EOIT group. In summary, the overall consistent findings of these studies is that adolescents with anorexia appear to respond better to systemic family therapy, and often without the need for inpatient treatment (Eisler, 2002). Conclusions about the comparisons between different kinds of family therapy have to be examined more carefully. This is mainly due to the small size and small number of comparative studies (Eisler, 2002). It seems apparent that those treatments which encourage the parents to take an active role in tackling the adolescents anorexia are the most effective. According to Eisler, 2002, these therapies may have some advantages by over involving the parents in a way that is supportive and understanding of the adolescent, but encourages them to step back from the eating problem. Furthermore it has been suggested that not involving the parents in the treatment at all, leads to the worst outcome and may considerably delay recovery of the patient. However it should be noted that seei ng whole families in which there are high levels of hostility or criticism, may be disadvantageous to the individual with anorexia. According to Szmuckler and colleagues, 1985, such families may be difficult to engage with and this may be even more salient when the whole family is seen together. During family sessions feelings of guilt and blame may be increased as a consequence of criticisms or confrontations brought up during the family therapy session (Squire-Dehouck, 1993). SCHIZOPHRENIA Providing family intervention therapy for individuals with schizophrenia is widely accepted as being beneficial to the both to the individual with schizophrenia and their families. Both the NICE (2003) and PORT (Lehman et al., 1998) guidelines recommend some kind of family work or family intervention for schizophrenia (Bertrando, 2006). Its efficacy with treating individuals with Schizophrenia could also be considered one of systemic family therapies major contributions to clinical practice. Although there is considerable variability in the format of systemic-family based interventions, they tend to share a common set of assumptions. Firstly schizophrenia is regarded as an illness; secondly, the family environment is not implicated in the etiology of the illness. Third, support is provided and families are enlisted as therapeutic agents and lastly the interventions are part of a treatment package used in conjunction with routine drug treatment and outpatient clinical management (Lam, 1991; Dixon Lehman, 1995). The elements of family interventions most frequently used in differing combinations are psycho-education, behavioural problem solving, family support, and crisis management (Dixon Lehman, 1995). It is clear that effective family treatments involve at least some conjoint family meetings which include symptomatic and non-symptomatic family members. Emphasis is placed on blame reduction, the positive role which family members can play in the rehabilitation on the person experiencing difficulties and the degree to which family intervention will alleviate the familys burden of care (Carr, 2000). One helpful aspect of systemic -family intervention is that it provides family members with an explanation or framing of the condition which provides a rationale for reducing family stress, increasing family support and active coping and arranging for the person with schizophrenia to adhere to the prescribed medication regime (Carr, 2000; 284). Initially a study by Brown (1972) found that people with schizophrenia from families that expressed high levels of criticism, hostility, or, over-involvement have more frequent relapses than individuals with similar problems from families that tended to be less expressive of their emotions. There are now several interventions available to families involving education, support and management to reduce expressed emotion etc. (Pharoah et al, 2006). The aim of such family interventions is to reduce stress within the families and subsequently by doing so reduce the levels of relapse. Interventions are proposed to accompany drug treatments rather than to be used as an alternative (Pharoah et al, 2006). A review by Mari, (1996), found that family interventions in Schizophrenia significantly reduced hospital admissions at one year follow up. Further to this, the most recent review carried out by Pharoah and colleagues, (2006) lends support to Maris, (1996) original finding and up to date evidence suggests that family intervention does statistically and significantly reduce hospital admissions at one year (Pharoah et al, 2006). In addition, at 18 month follow up, family intervention was still found to significantly reduce levels of admission to hospital. A study lending support to this hypothesis, reported that total number of days spent in hospital at 3 months was significantly lower for individuals that had received family interventions. Another study by Xiong (1994) cited by Pharoah (2006), favoured family intervention. The authors reported that 33 individuals receiving family intervention , spent on average 7.9 days in hospital by the end of 1 year follow up period, compared to 28 controls who spent on average 24 days in hospital. In terms of effect of family intervention on the families or relatives of the individual with schizophrenia, a study by Bloch, (1995), pointed that familys ability to cope with the illness was not clearly increased by family intervention. However, the study did report that the families understanding of the patients needs were statistically increased by family intervention. In contrast Szmuckler, (2003), reported on continuous measures of coping by the carers and found ambiguous results with no benefit been shown for those in intervention group compared to controls. However studies have proven that family intervention decreases significantly the levels of criticism and hostility compared to groups not receiving family therapy (Tarrier, 1988). Increased understanding of an individuals difficulties with schizophrenia, coupled with decreased levels of hostility and criticism towards that person, can be viewed a significant and important contribution of systemic therapy to dealing with th is condition. There is also evidence to suggest that family intervention is favourable when compared to standard care. A study by Chen, (2002; cited in Pharoah, 2006), reported that at the end of 1 year follow up, family therapy intervention did significantly reduce relapse rates of patients. Zhao, (2000), found that at 2 year follow up rates were again significantly lower in the family intervention groups. Furthermore studies looking at relapse rates at 3 year follow up also favoured family therapy (cited in Pharoah, 2006). In their review, Pharoah and colleagues, (2006), concluded that people receiving family therapy may relapse less than standard care groups. However it is noted by the authors that unpublished and inaccessible smaller negative studies that could not be included in the current review, and may weaken the overall findings (Pharoah, 2006). But at the moment the best available evidence suggests that approximate number of families needed to be given Family Intervention in order to avoid the relapse of 1 patient at the end of 1 year, is 8. The impression of better overall global improvement in family intervention groups is supported by several other studies (Xiang, 1994; Ran, 2003; cited in Pharoah, 2006). Family intervention was not shown to either hinder or promote the completion of one year of therapy , however findings do suggest that family therapy does promote compliance of individuals with schizophrenia and medication (Pharoah, 2006). The authors propose that it can be speculated that this is the reason that family Intervention has its main effect. Hogart, (1997), suggests that although compliance with medication was indeed improved by family

The Prioress Tale :: essays research papers

The Prioress’ Tale Prologue Prioress, now it is your time, Speak up loud, be not a mime. â€Å"Fine then, I’ll tell you a tale from my mother, ‘Twill be unique, unlike any other. My story will teach you change isn’t good, Understand it you will, make you better it should.† The Tale Across the town and down the street People stopped to sample his delicious treat Sweet, thick and full of custardy goodness There was a man, not Elliot Ness Who fulfilled the Bronx’s pudding needs. A fat man, he was, pudding was his seed To plant on the earth to grow. The lunch rush on Monday was quite slow, But Pudding Man knew not what to do. So he shut down his shop and put on his shoe And walked right home and started to nap, He fell asleep quick, unlike dripping maple sap. All of a sudden something made him scream, Was it a seizure, no it was just a dream. The dream inspired him to rethink his life Should he shut down his shop or kill himself with a knife? No, Pudding Man thought to himself, Just remodel the shop and add some new shelves. Change his image and his shops image too, Add new flavors of pudding, none tasting like poo. The next day Pudding Man began his plan, New recipes, new store front, new sign that read â€Å"Pudding Man.† Even with the new image, no business came. In fact his new image was incredibly lame. Then Pudding Man began to think, Appeal to new customers, along the lines of a mink. â€Å"I’ll cater to animals of all different kind, I’ll make new recipes that I think up in the mind.† Scour the world is what Pudding Man did, Looking for new ingredients, like Beruitan Malkafid, Venezuelan Tapioca and Chinese Vanilla Bean, Would make his pudding quite peachy keen. And for decoration add a bone or catnip His pudding was so good, his dog licked his lip. Pudding Man thought to himself, â€Å"I don’t know what I should, Oh well, I’ll make it up, just knock on wood.† He opened for business at a quarter to eight, He arrived early, not to be late. The first customer strolled in at 7:46, Hoping for goo business, he prayed not for a jinx. The customer brought in his pet porcupine. â€Å"My pet ‘pine likes pudding, and yours looks quite fine.† The man told our jovial Pudding Man. So, He ordered a bowl of Mongolian Poe. â€Å"What is exactly Poe, my good fellow?† Pudding Man didn’t know but he acted quite mellow. â€Å"Ummmmm†¦it tastes likes a mixture of apples and grapes.† But what Pudding Man didn’t know, is that Poe was the snot of apes.

Abuse of Prescription Drugs on College Campuses

Abuse of Drugs on College Campuses Today on college campuses, it is not possible to make it through college without knowing someone who has at least tried a prescription drug or recreational drug for either party uses, to help them study and keep up in school, or simply to help them get by day-to-day essay writer toronto. Maybe you have tried them yourself? College students all across the nation are abusing substances such as Adderall, Vicodin, Oxycontin, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc. Those students who drink alcohol are more likely to use prescription drugs for non-medical uses than non-drinkers.The number one way students are getting their hands on these different drugs is from the help of their peers. As for prescriptions, others steal it from their family members in their medicine cabinets at home if it is available. Like any drug, your body will build up a tolerance when you take it regularly resulting in dependence of that drug and/or need of higher dosages. Some people even fake symptoms to get prescribed the drug needed. For example, there are multiple websites on how to fake ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) so your doctor will prescribe you Adderall.Prescription Drugs All this talk and we do not know what Adderall even is. Adderall (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) is a prescription drug that is generally prescribed to treat people with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Some side effects are euphoria, restlessness, headache, dryness of mouth, insomnia, and even anorexia because of loss of appetite. Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant which can result in stroke or even death if the proper precautions are not met.This stimulant causes an increase in average heart rate about 3-6 beats per minute and an increase of average blood pressure about 2-4 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) (â€Å"Adderall†). As for Adderall’s contribution to college students, it is known as â€Å"Brain Steroids. † Some street names for it are addy, beans, black beauties, speed, double trouble, and Christmas trees. It is also known as cheap cocaine. Many students use it for late-night studying because the drug keeps you awake and alert for long periods of time. The problem is many students will do nything to get their hands on it in fear that they cannot do work without it. On the other hand, Adderall is also used as an all-night party drug. In the party scene, this is where Adderall is known as cheap cocaine. It is either taken orally or snorted before or while drinking alcohol, allowing the user to stay awake and drink for a longer period of time causing their BAL (Blood Alcohol Level) to continue to rise without the user falling asleep. This can not only lead to hospitalization but it can also lead to death. Adderall is being so widely used that the prescription is currently on a manufacturer backorder.The reason is because more and more people are be ing diagnosed with ADD and ADHD and in most cases I believe it is because people are faking the symptoms and doctors are too willingly writing out prescriptions. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) only releases a certain amount of the drug at a time in an attempt to prevent illegal abuse. With the demand of Adderall being so high at this time, its presence in the market is currently scarce. A story told in Texas showed that a man drove about 80 miles away from home to fill his prescription and paid $417 for the name brand Adderall (Keith).This story comes to show how addictive this drug can be. The central nervous system stimulant Adderall is not the only form of prescription drugs being abused. Pain killers are also being abused by students, Vicodin being one example. It is used to treat mild to severe pain with side effects of nausea, sedation, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, confusion, and possible seizure (â€Å"Vicodin†). The abuse may begin when you break a bo ne and are in return prescribed Vicodin for the pain. You continue to take the drug until the pain goes away and may continue to take it after the pain is gone.I have personally seen this happen with a friend who recently broke his leg. This particular person has no more pain from the injury, but continues to take the Vicodin for recreational purposes and sometimes drinks alcohol while taking them. When mixing alcohol and Vicodin it causes an enhanced sedated feeling and/or respiratory depression making the effects life threatening. In addition to Vicodin, the pain killer Oxycontin is also widely abused. It is used to treat severe pain that is expected to last a prolonged amount of time.Oxycontin has many similar side effects of Vicodin along with sweating, itching, loss of appetite, and severe weakness. It works by blocking the brain from receiving pain messages. The reason Oxycontin is so dangerous is because it is highly addictive and is a central nervous system depressant. It is believed that a younger healthier college student is more likely to become addicted to the drug rather than an older adult taking it for pain reasons. This is because taking Oxycontin to get high has a completely different effect on the body (â€Å"Oxycontin†). Like most drugs, Oxycontin can be abused in many different forms.It can be taken orally, crushed up and snorted, or dissolved and injected. By crushing it up or injecting it, it causes an instant feeling of euphoria when it enters the body. Oxycontin is often called â€Å"poor man’s heroin† due to the fact that they both have comparable effects. When the user is exposed to constant amounts of high doses, dependence of the drug is nearly inevitable. College students do not understand the dangerous and deadly outcomes of abusing Oxycontin. There are many cases where young adults in college have died from abusing it as a party drug.One case at the University of California, a student was not so lucky. Daniel Ashkenazy, a pre-law student was found dead at the age of 20 the morning after a fraternity rush party after taking Oxycontin while drinking alcohol. The shocking part is that a lot of times there are no signs of drug abuse and you do not have to be addicted to the drug for it to kill you. Daniel was a junior at the college with a 3. 8 grade-point average and frequently spoke with his mother. Another case at Colorado State University, 20 year old John Hunter-Hauck was found dead by his roommates the day after an off-campus party.His autopsy revealed traces of Oxycontin and alcohol in his system which resulted in his death. Moving away from pain killers, Xanax is a highly abused prescription drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Common street names for the drug are bars, blues, peaches, and handlebars. Xanax has a calming effect that controls the chemicals in your brain that cause anxiety. Some side effects may include drowsiness, depression, dry mouth, constipation, and h eadache. Students turn to this drug because it has similar effects of alcohol. Also, it is used to help take the edge off the constant stresses and demands that college puts on a student.When taking it in ‘bar’ form rather than the smaller dosage pill, the effects are so intense that you lose your ability to reason and think. When Xanax is mixed with alcohol, the effects are either intensified or reversed causing even greater anxiety because they are both central nervous system depressants (â€Å"Xanax†). Like Xanax, the prescription drug Valium is taken to reduce anxiety but it also used to treat muscle spasms and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some side effects may include dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness. When mixing Valium with alcohol you may experience difficulty breathing and it may cause you to pass out.If too much Valium or alcohol is taken, it could lead to a coma. The effects of alcohol are stronger and you are unable to drink a much as you normal ly do. After long term use, dependence may form. Insomnia, panic attacks, tremors, and/or depression may occur after a sudden stoppage from taking Valium (â€Å"Valium†). Prescription drug abuse among college students has become so rampant that there are parties specifically intended for exchanging these drugs. They are known as â€Å"pharm parties. † The basis of a â€Å"pharm party† is that everyone who attends brings their own prescription drugs and freely exchanges these drugs for other drugs.They sometimes even put all the pills into a large bowl and ingest whatever pills they pick out. Being that many of these individuals are willing to try anything new, they do not always know what prescription they are taking which results in different forms of potentially dangerous highs (Alexander). Even places one would believe to be a safe route for help are not always so safe. Recently in Indiana County, PA, a doctor at the Indiana Walk-in Clinic was arrested and ac cused of exchanging powerful pain medications for sexual favors. This just shows what extremes people will go through to get the drugs that they need.The doctor was providing prescriptions of Oxycodone to the patient despite the fact that he was aware she previously failed drug screenings at the clinic (â€Å"Indiana Co. Doctor†). So what happens when a college student is caught selling their prescription medication in the library during finals week or in the hallway of a school building? The consequence is that of a felony offense, although different states have different laws regarding the selling of a controlled substance. In some states you could be sentenced prison time or you could be let off on easier charges if you are a first time offender.The same ramification is in effect if you are caught purchasing the drug as well. Recreational Drugs Prescription drugs are not the only substances where abuse is a problem. On college campuses, alcohol is by far the most serious i ssue. Almost half of college students drink to the point of binge drinking or drink in greater excess. Binge drinking means a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0. 08 grams percent or higher. The BAC generally reaches this after a man consumes 5 or more drinks or a woman consumes 4 or more drinks within 2 hours.This kind of drinking is what effects students the most. When under this influence, students are more likely to fall behind with school work, skip their classes, engage is risky or illegal activities, or be injured. The issue of binge drinking is not easily controlled due to the fact that alcohol fits within a student’s budget and it is very easy to access(â€Å"Alcohol’s Damaging Effects†).. Alcohol is used in many social situations in college such as fraternity/sorority parties, house parties, tailgating for sporting events, or just going to the bar.In these social settings, students are more likely to drink more in a short period of time resulting in a blackout. A blackout is where you are intoxicated to the point where you cannot remember specific events that take place or you may not remember anything from a certain point on (â€Å"Alcohol’s Damaging Effects†). This stage in consuming alcohol is the most dangerous because the person may have little or no memory of risky actions like driving under the influence, engaging in unprotected sex, or committing illegal acts (â€Å"Binge Drinking†). Some students are less fortunate nd instead of blacking out, the consequence is death. Samantha Spady, a sophomore at Colorado State University, was found dead at a fraternity house at the age of only 19. The cause of death being binge drinking. Binge drinking also leads to a high risk for sexual assault, where women are mostly the victims. After consuming over 10 drinks in one sitting, about 60% of young women are sexually assaulted after their first semester of college (â€Å"Freshman women†™s binge drinking†). Sexual assault can range anywhere from unwilling sexual interaction or even worse, rape.Since alcohol is the most frequently abused substance, marijuana is the runner-up (Boyum). Marijuana, also known as pot or weed, is usually smoked either like a cigarette (joint), blunt/cigar form, or from a pipe. It can also be ingested by cooking it into food or brewed into tea (â€Å"NIDA InfoFacts†). Marijuana is considered a gateway drug that opens up users to even harder and more dangerous drugs. The effects of smoking weed can include paranoia, random thinking, short term memory, anxiety, and distorted sense of time (â€Å"Marijuana Uses†).College students often turn to marijuana use because it helps to take the edge off of everyday college demands and responsibilities. Weed smokers are more likely to spend more time engaging in party-like activities rather than studying due to difficulty concentrating (Ray). Results from continued use will more t han likely result in poorer grades, possible changes in personal relationships, inability to retain new information, or difficulty comprehending information (Ray). Some say marijuana is addictive yet some say it is not. So what is an abused drug that is addictive?Cocaine. We have already found that Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant, and so is cocaine but highly more addictive and powerful. Cocaine (coke) is usually snorted but it can also be mixed into water and injected. Regardless the way it is used, it enters the bloodstream quickly and the effects only take seconds. The results are similar to that of Adderall yet much stronger causing very high levels of mental alertness and energy. It works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain which is a chemical associated with pleasure.Long term usage can cause addiction because it is disrupting the brain’s reward system and will not produce dopamine in a normal fashion as it did prior to using the drug. It ma y sound like an amazing drug that causes it’s user to have a feeling of euphoria each time it is used, but the problem is it is very easy to overdose. Over time, a tolerance may build up causing the user to take more and more of the drug attempting to achieve the euphoric feeling they had the first time they tried it. Needless to say, this can ultimately result in overdose and death (â€Å"NIDA InfoFacts†).Cocaine can even effect life decisions as serious as what college to attend. Paige, a student at the University of Miami made her decision to attend there because she found that coke was cheap and very easy to get. Luckily for Paige, she stopped using the drug after her first year attending the college because it stopped being a fun thing for her to do (Shepherd). Another case was that of a former student of the University of Miami, who was identified by her middle name Xavier. She stated that using coke not only affected her grades, but also her relationships with f riends.Her grades were so bad that she was unable to continue attending the university. Another effect of coke is loss of appetite, and Xavier even admitted that was one of the reasons she continued to use it. â€Å"It’s so addictive that your life revolves around coke,† she said. â€Å"I was failing school, and I wasn’t going to class because you don’t really have the desire for anything [while] on coke. † After leaving the university, she stopped using the drug and her grades have improved as she now attends Miami Dade in hopes to re-enroll at the University of Miami (Shepherd).In Andria Ziegler’s case, she was found dead at her Paradise Valley Community College professor’s home. The autopsy revealed the 19-year-old’s death was caused by an accidental cocaine overdose (â€Å"College Student Dies†). Another popular drug among college students has a completely different effect than any of the previous drugs. These drugs are called hallucinogens. A common form is LSD (Lysergic Acid Diathylamide), also known as acid. It most often comes in the form of blotter papers, which are small paper squares that are dipped in LSD. Other forms include powder, liquid, pills, and capsules.Taking the drug results in a â€Å"trip† lasting around 12 hours with feelings of mind-altering changes in thought and mood, distorted perceptions of reality, and can cause hallucinations (â€Å"LSD†). College students are attracted to acid because of its easy availability, cheap prices, and mind-altering perceptions (Loglisci). A user can either have a very pleasurable experience or have a very terrifying â€Å"bad trip†. Each time acid is taken the results are different and have extremely unpredictable outcomes. Not only does the trip affect you when you take it, but it may also result in flashbacks of the experience weeks or even months later.These recurrences are also unpredictable and will lessen over ti me(Hallucinogens). Another similar hallucinogenic drug linked to LSD is mushrooms. They are also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms which contain psilocybin (a hallucinogenic principle). Shrooms can either be orally ingested or brewed into tea and drank. They have very similar effects of acid being that they cause trips that can either be pleasant or terrifying but they also cause altered perceptions of sight, touch, and taste. The long term effects are the same and can cause horrific flashbacks that can occur long after taking the drug (â€Å"Mushrooms†).The scariest aspect of this drug is that when you are around the students taking it, you do not know what is going to happen, depending on the outcome of the trip. I have personally experienced a friend â€Å"tripping† on shrooms and it was not a pleasant experience. It happened to be a bad trip and he was severely depressed and talking about life in a very serious manner. It was quite a frightening experience. Altho ugh I have never seen anyone take acid, I was told a story from another friend who tried it. They were two students at IUP who were bored one night and decided to try the drug.My friend explained to me that the two of them sat in a room all night until morning writing their thoughts on post-it notes and sticking them all over the wall until it was covered. She said that the next day they read the notes and had not one clue as to what any of them meant because they did not remember what was going through their heads at the time of the trip. A case in New York showed that Michael Simmons, a 19-year-old student at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts was found dead after an 8-story fall from his dorm window.Nothing was posted about the autopsy, but friends said that it happened after Michael and a few others consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms (Feeney, Gendar, and Lauinger). It is a scary thought to think that if you take a hallucinogenic drug you could possibly have a terrifying experience, jump out of an 8-story window to your death, or possibly not remember anything at all. In conclusion, it is clear from the sources displayed in this article that recreational drugs and prescription drugs will always be in demand for certain users.As a responsible and sovereign society it is one’s personal responsibility to understand the threats and consequences of these substances. Recreational drugs and prescription drugs alike all have potentially harmful and sometimes fatal effect on the human body. The sad truth is that these drugs are all addictive and are easy to miss use in the wrong hands. Unfortunately this is a real and unfortunate fact of the world we live. Different individuals and personalities handle and make with decisions their own way. Drug use to some is a personal choice.With new knowledge in drug awareness it is our responsibility as a society and individuals to educate, influence, and prevent the harmful and potentially fatal effects of drug abuse. To avoid potentially harmful or life threatening situations please consider the data and message displayed in this paper. Works Cited â€Å"Adderall. † Rxlist. com. Rxlist, N. p. , Web 20 Oct. 2011. â€Å"Alcohol’s Damaging Effects On The Brain. † Nih. gov. National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism, Oct. 2004. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. Alexander, Deborah, â€Å"Pharm-Raised Teens Oxycontin Abuse Prevalent Among Adolescents,† alexanderlawoffice. om. N. p. , Web. 13 Oct. 2011. â€Å"Binge Drinking on College Campuses. † Cspinet. org. Center For Science In The Public Interest, Dec. 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. Boyum, Richard. â€Å"A Two Edged Sword: Marijuana Use and College Students. † Selfcounseling. com. N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"College Student Dies After Overdosing on Cocaine at Home of Professor, Her Alleged Lover. † Foxnews. com. FOX News Network, 5 June 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Coroner: Alcohol Poisoning Killed CSU Student. † Thedenverchannel. com. Denver News, 17 Sept. 2004. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. Feeney, Michael J. Alison Gendar, and John Lauinger. â€Å"Friends say mushrooms contributed to Brooklyn College student's fatal fall. † NY Daily Times. 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Freshman women’s binge drinking tied to sexual assault risk. † Jsad. com. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Jan. 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. â€Å"Hallucinogens. † Justive. gov. United States Drug Enforcement Administration, N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Indiana Co. Doctor Charged With Trading Drugs for Sex. † Wpxi. com. 12 Oct 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. Jacobs, Andrew, â€Å"The Adderall Advantage. † Nytimes. com. The New York Times, 31 July 2005.Web. 24 Oct. 2011. Keith, Damali, â€Å"Adderall Shortage Has Many Worried. † Myfoxhouston. com. 30 Aug. 2011. Loglisci, Caroline A. , â€Å"LSD popular for college students. † Dailycampus. com. The Daily Campus, 25 Apr. 2001. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"LSD (Acid). † Drugabuse. com. National Institute on Drug Abuse, N. p. Web. 23 Nov 2011. â€Å"Marijuana Use and Its Effects. † Webmd. com. WebMD, N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Mushrooms. † Drugfree. org. The Partnership at Drugfree. org, N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"NIDA InfoFacts: Cocaine. † Drugabuse. com. National Institute on Drug Abuse, N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 011. â€Å"NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana. † Drugabuse. com. National Institute on Drug Abuse, N. p. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Oxycontin. † RxList. com. Rxlist, N. p. , Web. 13 Oct. 2011 Ray, Linda. â€Å"What Are the Effects of Marijuana Use on College Students? † Livestrong. com. 17 May 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. Shepherd, Lauren. â€Å"Cocaine used by college students. † UPIU. com. UPIU, 19 Dec. 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. â€Å"Vicodin. † RxList. com. Rxlist, N. p. , Web. 13 Oct. 2011 Williams, Eni, â€Å"Valium. † Rxlist. com. Rxlist, N. p. , Web. 13 Oct. 2011. â€Å"Xanax. † RxList. com. Rxlist, N. p. , Web. 13 Oct. 2011.

Negotiations Between German Officials and Black September

The terrorists handed a communique to the police, in it they demanded the release of more than two hundred revolutionary prisoners from jails in Germany, Israel and else where. Black September spent weeks planning the assault on the Olympic Village but their original 9 a. m deadline for the release of the 200 prisoners was hopelessly optimistic. By 8. 45 a. m no progress had been made in meeting the demands of the terrorists and Olympic officials scrambled to secure a meeting with the terrorists in order to extend the deadline.A police officer Anneliese Graes who was acting as an intermediary set up a meeting between the terrorist leader Issa and a small delegation of senior German, Olympic and foreign officials. As these officials approached the building it was very clear that the terrorists were in total control of the situation. When negotiators made their way to the scene they knew nothing about the terrorists except for what they could see. Three terrorists were visible at any o ne time, Issa the leader of the group, his face blackened with shoe polish and two other gunmen who were seen pointing assault rifles from the windows of the hotel room.The Munich chief of police Schreiber said â€Å"on the first floor balcony was a man wearing a balaclava and pointing a sub machine-gun towards us, towards me! † (p57) The negotiators were clearly dealing with a very delicate situation and the atmosphere between the men was described as incredibly tense. It was clear to Schreiber the chief of police that these were very dangerous men that they were dealing with. Not only were there two men on the balcony pointing guns at the negotiators but the leader, Issa had a hand grenade in his hand through-out the negotiations.Schreiber described the leader, â€Å"Issa expressed his demands in a staccato manner and at times sounded like a fanatic or one of those people who aren’t completely anchored in reality or totally aware. He was very cool and very determine d, clearly fanatical in his convictions† Eventually the negotiators managed to convince Issa that the demands were being considered in Tel Aviv and Bonn and that the Israelis and Germans needed more time to locate and free all of the prisoners.Israel immediately told the German authorities that in line with their policies they would not give in to the terrorists demands the then Prime minister for Israel Golda Meir going on record saying â€Å"If we should give in, then no Israeli anywhere in the world can feel that his life is safe, it’s blackmail of the worst kind. † â€Å"When it became clear to me the negotiation was fruitless I said to the leader (Issa): ‘You know our recent history, what was done to the Jews by the Germans. You must understand that this makes the situation here particularly difficult. ’ I said, ‘why don’t you let them go and take me instead. But he refused An unlimited sum of money as well as German minister Hans- Dietrich Genscher was also offered in exchange for the the lives of the Iraeli hostages. According to the Iraeli chief of police Manfred Scrieber the terrorists responded by saying, â€Å"It is not a question of money or substitute hostages but only of the two hundred prisoners† In the opinion of Magdi Gohary an advisor to the Arab League who negotiated with the members of Black September for the release of the hostages the terrorists really believed in the possibility of their demands being met.In Gohary’s opinion at the time from a political point of view the release of over 200 extremist prisoners was â€Å"99. 9 percent unlikely† he says â€Å" I thought and still think that the Israelis would rather have let their whole athletic team be killed than let this happen† the negotiators tried to explain these things to Issa but he was very â€Å"sceptical and dismissive†. Israel however, remained adamant that no deal would be struck with the terrori sts. To buy time the negotiators lied to the terrorists and told them that they were still awaiting word from Jerusalem.