Drug News

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription drug abuse on the rise among Oklahoma teens – KJRH News

Prescription drugs are now the drug of choice among teens. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics, prescription drugs are more popular than marijuana and methamphetamine.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Ottawa County offering way for residents to dispose of unused prescription medications – MLive

The Ottawa County Health Department is giving county residents a chance to dispose of unwanted prescription medications free of charge.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness – KLOS News

Law enforcement leaders in Asheville and Buncombe County team up for a new message against prescription drug abuse by teens.

ALCOHOL – USA
Does drinking alcohol shrink your brain? – CNN News

People who drink alcohol — even the moderate amounts that help prevent heart disease — have a smaller brain volume than those who do not, according to a study in the Archives of Neurology.

ALCOHOL – CANADA
Alcohol intake shrinks your brain – Calgary Herald

According to a report published in the October issue of Archives of Neurology, the more alcohol someone consumes, the smaller the total volume of the brain will be.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Café Prevention Raises Awareness of Teen Prescription and OTC Medicine Abuse – dBusiness News St. Louis
It will come as no surprise to those in the prevention arena, or those that work with youth, that teen prescription and over the counter (OTC) medicine abuse continues to escalate and poses a significant threat to the safety and well being of our children.
PRESCRIPTION – USA
What Can Physicians Do About the Increase in Prescription Drug Abuse? – Medscape

Is prescription drug abuse increasing and if so, what can physicians do to prevent prescription drug abuse by their patients?

METH – AUSTRALIA
Methamphetamine enters brain quickly and lingers – News Medical

Using positron emission tomography (PET) to track tracer doses of methamphetamine in humans’ brains, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory find that the addictive and long-lasting effects of this increasingly prevalent drug can be explained in part by its pharmacokinetics – the rate at which it enters and clears the brain, and its distribution.

METH – USA
Health officials debate cleanups, residual risks of meth – St. Louis Post Dispatch

For years, invisible meth residue remains trapped in ductwork, carpeting and walls. Eighteen states have decided that the residue is so hazardous the homes must be decontaminated. But not Missouri and Illinois — both states among the top five for lab busts in 2007.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Rise in prescription drug abuse alarms experts – The Daily Toreador

Research presented in September at a National Safety Council meeting reported an increase in deaths from accidental drug overdoses and pointed to prescription painkillers as the leading cause for the problem.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Oceana County struggles with teen drug problem – MLive
Oceana County, with its pastoral fields brimming with asparagus and cherry trees, might seem an unlikely place for a teenage drug problem.

METH – USA
Experts talk about impact of meth on society – Chico Enterprise Record

Fighting methamphetamine’s persistent grip was the topic at a Methamphetamine Awareness Town Hall held Thursday.

ADDERALL – USA
Adderall Abuse Rises Nationally as Study Tool – The Hoya

The Food and Drug Administration places Adderall under a Schedule II pharmaceutical amphetamine and compares it to opium, cocaine, morphine, methadone and methamphetamines, due to its dangerous and highly addictive qualities.

ADDICTION – USA
Free Drug Samples the First Step to Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse – Trans World News

Anyone who has treated drug addicts for very long knows about the dealers on the streets and in the school yards who give drug free samples to potential customers.

ADDICTION – USA
Drug Addiction Rehab Successes Given by Recovering Addicts – Trans World News

There are many times when someone trapped in drug addiction can feel that their life is hopeless, that their situation has spiraled down to a point of no return. “While we understand why a person may become addicted, this does not mean there is no hope.”

ADDICTION – USA
Addiction Recovery Is Possible, New Survey on Drug Addiction Shows – Trans World News

The common message once used as “common knowledge” was that “once a drug addict, always a drug addict”. This misconception has been used by many to justify incarceration for those suffering from drug addiction, and has boomed the incarceration industry.

ADDICTION – USA
Community turns out to support alcohol, drug addiction recovery – White Mountain Independent

Over 50 people walked from Eagar to Springerville recently, flying balloons and waiving banners to show their support of national “Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.”

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Program addresses abuse of prescription drugs, energy drinks – Indy Star

When people think of drugs, they think only of illicit ones such as marijuana and cocaine. They don’t think of prescription drugs in the same way.

METH – USA
Crystal Darkness Oklahoma campaign offers meth education – Duncan Banner

Anyone who knows someone who is addicted to methamphetamine knows the pain and trauma that is associated with the drug.

PRESCRIPTION – AUSTRALIA
Youth mixing prescription drugs and alcohol – Live News

There are fears children are turning to a dangerous new form of drug experimentation – mixing alcohol with prescription and illegal drugs.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
More prescription drug clean sweeps this fall – WKOW TV News

There’s still time to take old prescription medicines or half-empty pill bottles in your home to local prescription drug clean sweeps.

METH – USA
GUEST VIEW: We face unending fight against the meth menace – West Salem Coulee News

While clandestine methamphetamine labs in Wisconsin have decreased by 90 percent in recent years, the availability and use of methamphetamine continues to be a serious problem, particularly in the northern part of the state.

ALCOHOL – USA
Little Alcohol Goes Longer Way In Women – KFOX TV News

Women are more vulnerable than men to the effects of alcohol, both the good and the bad, according to the Harvard Health Letter.

METH – USA
Meth addiction training forum offered Oct. 17 – Lahontan Valley News

A training forum titled “Methamphetamines: Understanding Addiction” will be held Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Jeanne Dini Cultural Center, 129 California St., in Yerington.

ADDICTION – USA
Addiction? There’s help – Stuttgart Daily Leader

Teen Challenge of Arkansas, located in Russellville, is one of the 170 centers located in the United States that is structured to allow flexibility in meeting the needs of those whose lives have been shattered by addiction.

METH – USA
Methamphetamine- Know Before You Go – Trans World News

Methamphetamine is a stimulant that affects the nervous system in a negative way.  A lot of it is produced in illegal laboratories and has deadly chemicals in it.

DRUGS – UK
New National Statistics Reveal More Drug Addicts In Treatment – And They Are Staying The Course, UK – Medical News Today

Figures published today by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) show that more than 202,000 people were recorded in drug treatment for 2007/08, which over-achieves the target set by the government.

DRUGS – USA
Free Drug Samples Put Health Of Kids In Danger – Chattah Box

A new study has found that free drug samples put the health of children in grave danger. These drug samples put their health at risk, as 500,000 kids received drug samples of drugs which were later found to have safety problems.

METH – USA
State plans to take anti-meth campaign to next phase – College Times

The slogan “Not Even Once” preceded by gritty images of methamphetamine users has infiltrated Arizona TV on a daily basis for the past year. Now, the Arizona Meth Project is going into its next phase as it launches a new series of ad campaigns, said Amy Rex, director of the Arizona Meth Project.

METH – USA
DC Meth Task Force targets pipes – Dawson News and Advertiser

Dawson County’s Meth Task Force, parents, students and church groups have teamed up to fight what they say is one of the greatest temptations of today’s youth. They’re out to stop the sale of what they deem as illicit and illegal drug paraphernalia in local convenience stores.

ALCOHOL – USA
Beach alcohol ban foes, fans speak out – San Diego Union Tribune

Business owners both for and against beach drinking hosted dueling news conferences yesterday as they boost their campaigns in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

ALCOHOL – UK
Drink prices must rise to cut alcohol deaths, doctors advise – Telegraph

The price of alcohol must be increased and beer, wine and spirits companies should be banned from advertising, doctors have advised.
ALCOHOL – USA
What Are the Risks of Risky Drinking? – Join Together

To examine the adverse consequences of risky drinking, researchers assessed baseline drinking among 22,122 adult national survey participants who had consumed at least 1 drink in the year preceding the baseline interview and measured the 3-year incidence of selected outcomes.

RITALIN – USA
‘How I weaned my son off Ritalin and proved discipline IS better than drugs’ – Daily Mail

Earlier this year, Yvonne Dixon’s 14-year-old son Jake turned to his mother during the car journey home from school and said calmly: ‘If I was still on Ritalin, I think I would have killed myself by now.’

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Measuring Cups Distributed to Scottish Drinkers – Join Together

Hospitals in Lanarkshire, Scotland are giving away measuring cups to help drinkers gauge the amount of alcohol they are using. The giveaway is part of Scotland’s Alcohol Awareness Week

DRUGS – USA
Teens Exposed to Pro-Drug Videos Online – Join Together

Five percent of Internet-browsing teenagers who took part in a recent survey watched at least one online video promoting alcohol or other drug use in the past month.

ADDICTION – USA
People with addictions can find recovery, hope – Greenville News

Arecent column in The Greenville News by Dr. Ed Leap, titled “God so loved the world, including alcoholics,” was read with interest by the board and membership of FAVOR Greenville as we prepared to celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in September.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Health providers hear about abuse of prescription drugs – Chickasha Star News

Physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcement agents from five counties gathered Tuesday night at the Southern Plains Medical Center to hear a presentation over the rising problem of prescription drug abuse.

METH – USA
Prescription drug abuse on the rise in Nevada – Reno Gazette Journal

During the 2007 legislative session, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and the Nevada Retailers Association formed a public-private partnership to battle methamphetamine abuse.

CODEINE – USA
Warning issued on ‘Purple Drank’ – The Town Talk

The drug’s main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine. It is mixed with ingredients like Promethazine, Phenergan, lemon-lime soft drink and pieces of fruit candy. The purple color comes from the dyes in the cough syrup.

CODEINE – USA
Use of Codeine Products by Nursing Mothers – Market Watch

Once ingested, codeine is converted by the body into morphine. Some people convert codeine into morphine more rapidly and completely than others.

METH – USA
Summit on meth draws leaders to area – Zwire

A summit on the challenges and successes in the fight against meth in Northwest Wisconsin drew nearly 40 law enforcement leaders, local officials, and community activists from around the region Thursday.

METH – USA
‘Meth-Free/Drug-Free’ campaign getting results – The Daily Triplicate

On behalf of the Crescent City Police Department, we would like to publicly recognize and officially thank the Elk Valley Rancheria for assisting in our efforts to promote a “Meth-Free/Drug-Free” community.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alaska alcohol: Bootleg bounty? – BBC News

There is a history of alcohol abuse among native people in Alaska, so under the State’s system of local referendums many communities choose to restrict consumption.

ALCOHOL – USA
New Drug/Alcohol Test Procedure Clarified – Aviation International News

“Direct observation” of aviation employees during drug and alcohol tests applies only to individuals who are returning to duty after a previous positive test, or if there is reasonable suspicion.

DRUGS – USA
Drugs and the Internet: Are Your Teens At Risk of Exposure? – Pushing Back

A new Nielsen Online study, conducted on behalf of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) during the month of June and released today, measured the online viewing habits of teens, and tracked their exposure to drug-related content.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Rising Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens – KFVS News

More and more young people are finding it’s often easier to get their hands on prescription pills than other drugs and this gives a whole new meaning to driving while intoxicated.

METH – USA
Let’s Talk about Meth – Drug Policy

Teachers, counselors, prevention specialists and parents in California can benefit from a new tool to facilitate open and honest discussion with young people about drugs and drug use.

DRUGS – NETHERLANDS
Drugs and driving – Dutch launch new campaign – Radio Netherlands

Most of us are familiar with the laws relating to drink driving and the prospect of the dreaded blow into the breathalyser on the way home from a party or meal out, hoping that second glass of wine around dessert time isn’t going to register us as over the limit.

METH – USA
Combating meth addiction

I am excited about a bold new initiative taking aim at methamphetamine addiction in Oklahoma. Meth has destroyed the lives of many Oklahomans, and the Crystal Darkness campaign.

ALCOHOL – UK
A Little Alcohol Goes A Longer Way In Women Than In Men-in Good Ways And Bad, From The Harvard Heart Letter – Medical News Today
Alcohol can be a boon or a bane for health. The difference lies in the dose-a little is good, a lot is bad. But the dividing line between a little and a lot differs from person to person.

ALCOHOL – UK
WHO To Hold Public Hearing On Ways Of Reducing The Harmful Use Of Alcohol – Medical News Today

Each year, more than two million people die from alcohol-related causes which is why World Health Organization (WHO) was asked by its Member States in May at the World Health Assembly to develop a global strategy to combat the harmful use of alcohol.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Burlington police to offer prescription drug drop-off – Burlington Free Press

The Burlington Police Department is offering a program in which people with old or unused prescription drugs can safely dispose of them.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Free Prescription Drug Samples Pose Risk to Kids – US News and World Report

Free prescription drug samples distributed to pediatric patients may be unsafe, research suggests.

METH – USA
Woman shares her story to give meth addicts hope – Deseret News

The story of Robin Kahus and her son, Taran, has become an inspiration to many mothers trying to win their battle against meth addiction. But Kahus admits it wasn’t a tale she was initially eager to share.

DRUGS – USA
Healthcare Providers Loathe to Discuss Substance Use with Prenatal Patients – Join Together

A new study from Indiana University concludes that obstetricians and midwives are reluctant to confront patients in prenatal care about substance-abuse issues.

DRUGS – UK
National Indicator for Reducing Drug Related Crime Published – Sara Mcgrail

National Indicator 38 which sets out to measure improvements in levels of drug related crime is one of the indicators whose methodology for measurement is included in a new publication out for consultation last week from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

DRUGS – UK
Parents ‘naive’ about drug use by children – Guardian

Nearly all parents are convinced that their children have never taken drugs, according to a survey that suggests parents are woefully unaware of their offspring’s lives.

DRUGS – UK
Long hours and stress drive lawyers to drink and drugs – Times Online

A culture of long hours and stress are driving increasing numbers of lawyers to drink and drugs, both within and outside the workplace.

COCAINE – UK
Cocaine energy drink makers attacked – Wales Online

ITS white powder lettering and deeply suggestive flavour titles seem designed to arouse suspicion. But it is the name of this new high-energy caffeine drink that is sending doctors, parents and anti-drug campaigners into a tailspin.

ALCOHOL – UK
Scottish hospitals hand out alcohol measuring cups – CRP

Measuring cups that allow people to monitor how much alcohol they are drinking are to be handed out at hospitals in Lanarkshire. The move is part of Alcohol Awareness Week which runs from 5-11 October.

ALCOHOL – UK
Increase in alcohol abuse fuels youth crime – The Herald

The number of young offenders who blame alcohol for their crimes has almost doubled in the last 30 years, according to the most comprehensive study into drinking and violence in Scotland.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription clean-out – WZVN ABC News

Old prescriptions were the target of deputies and anti-drug advocates in Estero Saturday. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida, collected unused prescriptions from anyone who wanted to drop them off at the Coconut Point Mall.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse Still A Problem – Tricities

Prescription drug abuse is alive and well in Southwest Virginia! This problem isn’t going away people! I do commend law enforcement and our drug task forces for their vigilance for drug busts and subsequent indictments.

ALCOHOL – JAMACIA
Single in the city – Does alcohol blur your vision? – Jamaica Gleaner

How many of you feel that you need to have a drink, alcoholic, that is, to relax and loosen you up? How often do you tell your friends, “I’m going to get drunk tonight”? In fact, are you able to get through an evening on the town without sipping a drop of beer, wine, rum, vodka, or the like?

ALCOHOL – SOUTH AFRICA
Too much alcohol leads to unsafe sex – The Times

HIV-positive men and women and their partners have risky sex after heavy drinking, a new study shows. The participants did not always drink but, when they did, they had an average of six drinks each before having unprotected sex.

ALCOHOL – USA
Colleges educate students early about alcohol dangers – Newsday

At Stony Brook University all new students are required to take an online education course on alcohol awareness that is several hours long. In addition, a prevention-through-the-arts peer education group performs vignettes during orientation that portray consequences related to alcohol use and abuse.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
‘Prescription Clean-Out’ collects nearly 70,000 pills today – Lehigh Acres Citizen

A joint effort by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida was successful in collecting nearly 70,000 prescription pills today, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Nearly 70,000 prescription pills collected in Lee County – The News Press

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida held a drive to rid homes of expired or unwanted prescription drugs, particularly households with children. Hundreds of vials, liquids and syringes also were deposited in Estero, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Operation Drug Drop educates public on prescription drug abuse, safety – White Mountain Central

Sponsored by various community businesses, KRFM 96.5 hosted Pinetop-Lakeside police chiefs and officers, who spoke on air throughout the day about the dangers hiding in nearly every home medicine cabinet.

PRESCRIPTION – IRELAND
Prescription drug abuse ‘on rise’ – Independent

Ireland is set to follow United States addiction trends of growing use of sedatives, anti-depressants, and other “psycho-active drugs”, an addiction expert has warned.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Swimming star stays dry to teach kids danger of alcohol – The Sydney Morning Herald

AFTER winning five medals, including two gold, at the Beijing Olympics, Libby Trickett could be forgiven for having a few celebratory drinks. But the swimmer has pledged to go “Ocsober” this month to help educate children and young adults about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
In the News: Sheriff’s office to collect unused prescriptions – The News Press

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is accepting old and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications for its prescription clean-out.

ALCOHOL – UK
Hard-hitting film on alcohol abuse by young women to be released – Aberdeen Press and Journal

A film to tackle alcohol misuse among young women could be shown in bars and colleges across the Highlands, it emerged yesterday.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Foundation seeks to curtail prescription drug abuse by Tennesseans, ‘duped’ doctors – Memphis Business Journal

Tennessee’s prescription drug habits made for a $5.5 billion business for retail pharmacies last year, but some groups think our habits are problematic.

DRUGS – UK
One in five young people say they think parents have taken drugs, according to Addaction commissioned survey – Addaction

5th October 2008 One in five (19 per cent) young people say they think their parents have taken drugs and of those, one in ten (nine per cent) say they think their parents still take drugs.

DRUGS – USA
Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause Opens Oct. 2 in Los Angeles – DEA
Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause is a powerful exhibit, developed by the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum, designed to explore the science behind illegal drug abuse and addiction and the myriad costs of illegal drugs – to individuals, American society and the world.

ALCOHOL – UK
Are You A Binge Drinker? BMA Scotland Calls For Compulsory Labelling Of Alcoholic Drinks – Medical News Today

BMA Scotland today (Friday 3 October 2008) called on the Government to legislate for the introduction of compulsory labelling on all alcoholic products to help people understand and manage their drinking habits.

CODEINE – CANADA
Pediatricians urge caution with kids’ cold medications – Canada

As the dreaded flu season approaches, doctors are urging parents not to give their young children over-the-counter cold and flu medication. A group of doctors in the United States called this week on the Food and Drug Administration to ban over-the-counter cold medicine for kids between the ages of two and six.

ALCOHOL – USA
Air Force base hosting alcohol education event – Myrtle Beach Sun News

A North Carolina-based Air Force medical unit is holding a series of briefings to warn airmen about underage drinking and the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol.

ALCOHOL – INDIA
WHO launches on-line forum against alcohol consumption – Hindustan Times

With more than two million people dying from alcohol-related causes annually, the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a month-long online forum to give a voice to the public on how to curb harmful consumption.

HEROIN – UK
Contaminated heroin sold in town – BBC News

Heroin users in Weston-super-Mare are being warned of a “rogue” batch of the drug believed to be circulating in the seaside town.

HEROIN – UK
Police warn about rogue heroin – Avon and Somerset

Police in Weston-super-Mare have issued a warning to drug users to be aware of a rogue batch of heroin, which may be circulating in the resort.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol Awareness Week – Scottish Government

People in Scotland are being urged to try lower alcohol beer, pour smaller glasses and choose at least two alcohol-free days every week, as part of Alcohol Awareness Week (October 5 – 11, 2008).

ALCOHOL – UK
Are you a binge drinker? BMA Scotland calls for compulsory labelling of alcoholic drinks – BMA Scotland

The BMA believes that compulsory standards for labelling alcoholic beverage containers that provide guidance on recommended drinking guidelines would enable people to make informed choices on alcohol.

DRUG – USA
Drug Overdoses Become the Second Leading Cause of Unintentional Injury Death in the U.S – Trans World News

The mortality rates from unintentional drug overdoses have been rising steadily since the early 70s, and in the last ten years, the number of these deaths has reached historic highs. Even the “black tar” heroin epidemic of the mid-70s and the crack cocaine peak in the 90s did not approach today’s numbers.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Utah to study prescription drug overdoses – Salt Lake Tribune

To understand why Utah has had a steadily climbing number of prescription drug overdoses – and prevent future deaths – state officials plan to interview hundreds of relatives and friends of recent victims.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Health department to study prescription drug deaths – Deseret News
Utahns died of prescription drug overdoses at a rate of nearly one a day last year, leaving behind a host of unanswered questions in what the state medical examiner has called an “epidemic.”

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Barre Holds Prescription Pill Drive – WCAX News

They have planned a prescription pill drive similar to one held in St. Albans earlier this year. They collected more than 7,000 unwanted pills during the month-long campaign, which is now permanent.

METH – NEW ZEALAND
Agreement over China P issue – TV New Zealand

A drug educator supports claims by the Greens that New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with China will lead to a bigger problem with the drug P.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Benzodiazepines- Prescription Drugs Deadly If Abused – Trans World News

Benzodiazepines are a class of central nervous system depressant drugs commonly prescribed for short-term treatment of anxiety or insomnia. Proprietary names for drugs in this group include Valium, Xanax, Librium, and Halcion. Unfortunately, prolonged use can lead to physical dependence even at doses recommended for medical treatment.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin Chronicles – San Diego Reader

Once I was in TJ, it was all of 30 minutes before I connected and had a jackhammer in my arm full of the ever-so-needed heroin that my body, mind and spirit craved and needed.…

DRUGS – UK
New national statistics reveal more drug addicts in treatment – and they are staying the course – NTTA

Figures published today by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) show that more than 202,000 people were recorded in drug treatment for 2007/08, which over-achieves the target set by the government.

ADDICTION – UK
“TREATMENT WORKS” – But Only if it is Appropriate, Best-Practice Treatment – Addiction Today

Addiction Today’s view is that the argument should not be about abstinence versus harm reduction but about good practice versus bad practice. Both abstinence and harm reduction options should be offered appropriately, after accurate assessment, using best practice in treatment for the ultimate good of the patient.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol And Violence: Culture’s Role – Medical News Today

Countries with strict social rules and behavioral etiquette such as the United Kingdom may foster drinking cultures characterized by unruly or bad behavior, according to a new report on alcohol and violence released by International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP).