My Civil Advocate

If a person is charged with possession of illegal drugs, their attorney may seek to challenge the prosecution on one or more grounds: refuting the stated facts, testimony, or evidence; zeroing in on procedural missteps; or pressuring the prosecution to provide all necessary evidence at trial. A defendant has the right to due process of law, including search-and-seizure protocol that is carried out properly. For example, if drugs were spotted "in plain view" in their car, they can be used as evidence. If a trunk was pried open without the defendant's consent, that's another matter altogether. A defendant can also claim they hadn't the foggiest idea that the drugs were in their residence or vehicle, and that the drugs must be someone else's. A skilled defense attorney can put the squeeze on the prosecution to prove "ownership". An attorney will force prosecutors to produce, in court, the actual drugs involved in the case. This isn't always a ...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly utilized over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers that many people may want to take a second look at, depending on their circumstances. Mounting evidence suggest that these pharmaceuticals increase a person's risk of heart attack and stroke. The Food and Drug Administration thinks the evidence is noteworthy, as they recently ordered drug manufacturers to toughen the warning labels on these medications. Aspirin was not included on the new warning labels, since it has been found to lower cardiovascular risks in some patients. Taking an occasional  NSAID here and there should not be a problem for someone who has a hearlthy heart if they follow the correct dosages. However, chronic users or those who already have issues elevate their risk of heart attack or stroke anywhere from 10-50 percent, depending on the drug and the dosage being used. Researchers believe that NSAIDs alter the lining of blood vessels, openin...

Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack in people who have already had one. But what if healthy people took a daily aspirin to prevent heart issues to begin with? Aspirin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce inflammation that can trigger a heart attack. Prior to 2014, many doctors recommended that those at higher risk for heart trouble - family history, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetic, etc. - over age 50, and not at increased risk of bleeding begin taking a low dose of aspirin every day. However, in 2014 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed that preventative dosages of aspirin in otherwise healthy people produced more risk than reward. Aspirin can irritate stomach and intestinal tissues, which may lead to ulcers and intestinal bleeding. There was a push back from the American Heart Association (AHA) and U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government- appointed panel of health experts. Although agreein...