Drug News

COCAINE – UK
Cocaine smuggling soars through West Africa – The Associated Press

Cocaine smuggling to Europe is dramatically increasing through West Africa, posing a substantial threat to the stability of a region already troubled by war and poverty, an international watchdog warned Thursday.

PAINKILLER – USA
Painkiller Abuse Rises Among U.S., European Youth, UN Warns – Bloomberg

A United Nations drug panel warned policy makers in Europe and the U.S. that the rising use of illegally obtained painkillers is risking the health of young people.

COCAINE – UK
Cocaine price halves in a decade – BBC News

The UN International Narcotics Control Board says a major new cocaine trafficking route has developed into Western Europe through the Balkans.

COCAINE – USA
West Africa Becomes Hub for Cocaine Smuggling to Europe – Voice of America News

A new report finds that West Africa has become a major hub of cocaine smuggling to Europe, a trend that threatens to undermine African countries as well as European law enforcement efforts.

ALCOHOL – USA
Teens used to oppose Sunday alcohol sales in Ga. – Sovo

Conservative Christians packed a state Senate hearing Feb. 18 by recruiting middle and high school-aged children to fight a bill that would allow Georgia counties to vote on Sunday alcohol sales.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol culture in the UK – Guardian

There is good news and bad news about under age drinking in Britain. While the number of teenagers drinking has declined in recent years, those who do drink are consuming more alcohol, more often.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
More Utahns dying from prescription drug overdoses than car accidents – KSL TV News

Two years ago, the number of deaths from prescription drug overdoses surpassed the number of highway fatalities in Utah. New numbers now show how quickly the problem took off.

PRESCRIPTION – IRELAND
Excessive prescribing in west, says report – RTE News

A new report by a west of Ireland-based drugs taskforce says there is excessive prescribing of minor tranquilisers and sedatives by doctors in the region.

ALCOHOL – USA
Fox Valley schools combat alcohol abuse – Wrightstown Post Gazette

Neenah teacher Vicki Bayer can rattle off experiences to illustrate the extent of alcohol abuse in the lives of students.