Use of Cannabis and Opium in Hookahs

The primary reason why hookah is enjoyed so extensively around the world and has been so for so many years is because it is an exquisite and unique way to smoke tobacco. While many people do the same in cigarettes, pipes and cigars; hookah smoking uses tobacco that is juicy and flavored and is more of a hobby and a tradition than it is an addiction.

But the fact is that the tobacco in the bowl of the hookah can be replaced with other smoking materials as well, namely opium and other drugs that produce a dangerous and harmful alternative. While a lot of people are not aware of it but this substitution was done years ago but not as public or wide-spread as the use of tobacco in hookah smoking.

Opium is a drug obtained from opium poppy plants and which contains narcotic materials such as morphine and opiate alkaloid; these are also chemically processed to produce heroin, a popular drug. On the other hand, Cannabis which is more popularly known as marijuana is another drug usually used in the dried and herbal form. Both of these drugs can be used in the hookah instead of tobacco but these are strong drugs which leave the person disoriented and dazed. Most importantly, these drugs are illegal and addictive and their abuse can result in disastrous health effects.

Some decades ago, the hookah was viewed in the West as a means to introduce and popularize a new and unique method to use drugs such as cannabis and opium but that is not quite so today. College students and youngsters view hookah smoking just as a relaxing activity that can be shared with friends and family alike. People who smoked cigarettes have either quit and switched to occasional hookah smoking or have substituted part of cigarette smoking with hookah smoking. But most of these kids used tobacco and not drugs; they prefer to use flavored and juicy tobacco that is cheaper, safer and legal rather than use expensive drugs in the hookah.

However, the other side of the story is the fact that people also do use the hookah as a means to smoke opium, cannabis and other drugs, while they may do this in the privacy of their homes or someplace else, they use hookah as another means of doing drugs. And while a lot of people would criticize the introduction of hookahs into the West based solely on this reason, the fact is that hookah smoking in the West and what it has been through the years in the East have a lot of differences; even smoking hash and opium has had its differences between the two parts of the world.

In the past drugs were used only occasionally and only by some people in the Middle East where hookah use was prominent. But in the West, people who do use the hookah for doing drugs use it excessively and over-use them most of the time adding fuel to their addiction. On the other hand, the purpose of hookah throughout history has specifically been to enjoy the art of smoking flavored tobacco with the closest of friends.

Author Bio

Mario has been involved in Hookah Store and Hookah pipes business since early 2004 and currently works for The Hookah Monster and Hookah Tobacco, and whilst spending countless hours each month running his business still finds time for various hobbies and interests.

Breathalyzer Accuracy and DWI DUI Conviction Rates

Breathalyzers are devices that are used to measure the level of alcohol in the blood stream of a person suspected to be drunk driving. Breathalyzers have proved to be very convenient and effective for the traffic police all over the world to catch drunk drivers and to measure accurately their BAC levels which determine the level of their charges.

There is one major problem with breathalyzers that has come up over the past couple of years and which could destabilize the faith of the legal system in these devices. This is because a recent study of these devices has revealed that breath tests can vary as much as 15% from the actual results and about one out of four individuals will have a BAC reading that is higher than what their BAC really is. This means that drivers who may have a legal limit of alcohol in their blood system may get charged for DUI because of these incorrect readings.

This is the reason why many lawyers practicing DUI love to target the breathalyzer results while trying to prove the innocence of their clients. Therefore, to maintain justice, fair-play and safer roads; it is important to make sure that the DUI offenders get the DUI charges and even conviction that they truly deserve but innocent drivers should not get troubled by these exaggerated tests.

Another concern that has arisen many times recently is that the DUI/DWI conviction rate may actually be higher than it should be because of the faulty equipment such as old or erroneous breathalyzers that are used to measure BAC levels. A lot of court systems and judges rely heavily on these breath tests without questioning their validity and therefore, these judges would be convicting more people with DUI/DWI. These judges cannot be called impartial or fair who according to the justice system, do not question the validity or accuracy of the breath tests used to measure the BAC level of the suspect drunk driver.

The highest burden of proof in criminal matters is the key of the justice system and the law which means having proof beyond doubt of the offense. When judges and court systems do not take this fact into account, they may actually be convicting and second to jail innocent drivers and thus, disrupting the balance of fairness and justice.

So in light of new evidence being unearthed about breath tests and breathalyzers, the traffic authorities and the courts should employ a more reliable and effective method of measuring BAC to avoid faulty DUI convictions. In a country like the United States, the law is supposed to protect the citizens, even those who are suspected of having committed a crime as long as there is a shred of doubt of their being innocent or not as guilty as they are being made out to be.

Such errors on the part of breathalyzers and such commitment of judges could result in faulty decisions that could cost people their liberty, reputation, honor and not to mention their money and time. So, being part of this community, we need to bring to light these matters that could well affect us anytime as anybody else.

Author Bio

Richard Jacobs is a chief editor since early 2007, and he currently works for MyDUIattorney. A website that helps you to find the right DUI lawyer, you can search for a Maryland DUI Attorney or New Jersey DUI Lawyer online, anytime!