Drug News

Addiction Leads to Murder – Tennessee
Kelley Cannon: From Life of Privilege to Life Behind Bars – abc NEWS / 20/20

Kelly and Jim Cannon: Nashville Marriage Marred by Addiction Ends in Murder

Children of Drug Addicts – Michigan
Michigan foster children describe struggles; ‘Most people don’t care about children,’ one says – mlive.com

KALAMAZOO — Her mother is a drug addict. Her father “wants to do his own thing.”

Marijuana – California
$1.7 Billion Worth Of Pot Seized By The Californian Police Officers – Thaindian News

July 30, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The police personnel in California have uttered that they have seized $1.7 billion worth of marijuana plants in the mountains of Sierra Nevada. The policemen have also incarcerated 97 individuals over the past three weeks on the suspicion of being connected to Mexican drug leagues. Most of the incarcerated individuals happen to be Mexican nationals.

Underage Drinking Prevention – USA
Senators Call On FDA To Rule On Alcoholic Energy Drinks – npr

It’s no surprise that people in their 20s are big consumers of these combo products. They look cool and fun. Up to 25 percent of college students seek out that buzz-chill mix, and they think it helps them stay up longer and drink more, researchers say.

Drug Abuse – USA Celebrity
Mike Tyson Talks Cocaine, Prostitutes And More – The Huffington Post

“I’d be sitting down and drinking and doing cocaine, talking to girls, doing anything. Everything,” said Tyson. “Then I make it home and I’m tripping out at home.”

Drug Cartel Leader Dead – Mexico
Mexico announces death of cartel leader – UPI.com

MEXICO CITY, July 30 (UPI) — Mexico announced a victory in its war on drug trafficking by confirming the death of “Nacho” Coronel, a leader of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel.

Older-Adult Drug Abuse – Missouri
Concerns grow over drug abuse among older adults – Liberty Tribune

Tri-County Mental Health Services has a new target audience for its drug awareness programs: older adults.

Former Sheriff Involved In Drug Dealing – South Carolina
Drug Suspect Tied To Former Sheriff – abc NEWS 4 CHARLESTON

A man who said he owed his success as a drug dealer to a former South Carolina sheriff has signed an agreement to plead guilty.

Painkiller Drug Abuse – USA Study
Painkiller drug abuse soaring – Omaha.com

SAN FRANCISCO — Emergency room visits linked to abuse of prescription painkillers have jumped 111 percent in five years, straining the nation’s public health system, a recent study revealed.

Undercover Drug Operation – Arizona
Ariz. police officer killed, 2 wounded – UPI.com

PHOENIX, July 29 (UPI) — A Chandler, Ariz., police officer was shot and killed and two officers were wounded during an undercover drug operation Wednesday, authorities said.

Drug Addiction & Recovery – USA Celebrity
‘Bizarre Foods’ Host Reveals His Past as Homeless Druggie – GAWKER

Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern is going to be profiled on Nightline tonight (barring breaking news, etc.), and apparently he discusses his history of drug abuse with host John Berman in pretty graphic detail.

Drug Deal Gone Bad – Arizona
Mesa Police: Girl raped, boyfriend robbed during drug deal setup – azcentral.com

A 16-year-old girl was raped and her boyfriend was robbed after they were lured to an abandoned house to sell drugs, Mesa police said.

Marijuana – South Carolina
Sumter County Drug Unit makes huge bust – CarolinaLive.com

The Sumter County Drug Unit arrested 64 people last week after a six-month undercover operation.

Drug Abuse – UK
Concern at increase in drug seizures in Llanelli – BBC NEWS South West Wales

The number of drug seizures in Llanelli has increased substantially over the past three years, according to figures obtained by the local assembly member.

Startling Substance Abuse Statistics – USA
Substance abuse in the workplace – examiner.com FT. MYERS

Substance abuse happens in every community in the United States. Drugs and other substances are readily available to those with the resources and motivation to seek them. When substance abuse permeates the workplace, both employers and employees suffer. Substance abuse can cost employees a number of things, including their health, job, and even their life.

Heroin – Pennsylvania
Sugarloaf police seize $10K in heroin after drug arrest – standardspeaker.com

Sugarloaf Township police seized about $10,000 in heroin and drug-manufacturing paraphernalia from a Nanticoke man’s home following his arrest Friday on drug charges, Sgt. Joshua Winters said.

K2, Fake Marijuana – Florida
Stephen Wise Reacts to K2, Fake Marijuana, Report – First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Senator Stephen Wise is sensitive to the issue of drug abuse. In recent legislation, he was able to ban the sale of bongs, pipes used for smoking drugs, in stores that do not sell a certain percentage of tobacco products.

Illegal Liquor Manufacturing – USA
More Americans Making Moonshine – JOIN TOGETHER

Recession penny-pinching and the homemade food fad are driving more Americans — from hobbyists to trendy hipster kids — to make homemade liquor, or moonshine, the BBC reported July 18.

Teen Substance Abuse – USA Survey
Girls’ Attitudes are Changing When it Comes to Drugs – Myhighplains.com

New survey results from the Partnership for a Drug Free America report that girls appear more inclined than ever to reach for drugs and booze to help them emotionally. Some girls say drugs “help you forget your troubles.” Researchers advise parents to be especially attentive to their daughters’ moods and worries.

Cocaine Trade Scheme – Russia
US and Russia uncover innovative cocaine trade scheme – Thaindian News

Moscow, July 27 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Russia’s top drug law enforcement officers have announced that they have uncovered a high profile cocaine trade scheme in Moscow. They announced that they uncovered the scheme with the help of United States officials.

Drug Testing – USA
Millennium Laboratories urges for increase in physician reimbursement for POC urine drug screening – THE MEDICAL NEWS

Millennium Laboratories, Inc., a national, research-based medication monitoring company specifically focused on clinicians who treat chronic pain, strongly advocated for an increase in physician reimbursement for point-of-care urine drug screening at the Annual Clinical Laboratory Public Meeting of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 22, 2010. As the only therapeutic drug monitoring company presenting, Millennium was continuing its advocacy campaign, launched in June of 2009, supporting fair reimbursement for point-of-care (POC) urine drug screen devices.

Heroin – Africa
Heroin Addicts in Africa Engage in Dangerous Blood-Sharing – Join Together

“Flashblooding,” the act of injecting one heroin addict’s blood into another to share a high or ward off withdrawal, is becoming increasingly common in some African cities, the New York Times reported July 12.

Drunk Driving – California
Fresno Greyhound Crash: Driver Involved In Fatal Bus Crash Was Drunk – The Huffington Post

FRESNO, Calif. — An 18-year-old woman driving an SUV that was struck by a Greyhound bus in a horrifying crash last week was under the influence of alcohol, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.

Synthetic Marijuana – USA Looking to Ban
American Association Of Poison Control Centers: Fake Marijuana Spurs More Than 750 Calls To U.S. Poison Centers This Year Alone – Medical News TODAY

Synthetic marijuana products being sold at gas stations, convenience stores and “head shops” have spurred more than 750 calls to U.S. poison centers this year alone, causing increased concern among doctors and clinicians as well as state lawmakers, who are quickly moving to outlaw such products.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Confronting prescription drug abuse together (Gov. Jack A. Markell) – THE HILL’S Congress Blog

Anti-drug policy is often made in Washington but implemented on the front lines in our states, cities, suburbs and farms. To combat the growing damage done by illegal prescription drug use, we are turning to new technologies and working more closely together with a wide range of stakeholders.

Drug Arrests – Michigan
Shoplifting call at the South Haven Walmart leads to drug arrests – mlive.com

COVERT TOWNSHIP — The investigation of a retail fraud at the South Haven Walmart store led to the arrest of three people on drug, larceny and parole- violation charges, police said.

Marijuana Drug Bust – Virginia
Man arrested on drug charges – Fredericksburg.com

Caroline County authorities arrested a Dominican man and seized nearly $381,000 worth of marijuana while executing a search warrant at a home on Friday.

Cocaine – Wisconsin
2 Officers Charged with Helping Drug Dealer – nbc15.com

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Two Milwaukee police officers face federal charges related to cocaine delivery and money laundering.

Marijuana – Iowa
Waterloo man arrested for marijuana – Associated Press

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Police say they arrested a Waterloo man on drug charges less than a day after he want to an emergency room with a gunshot wound to his leg.

Methadone Overdose Death – Canada
Powdered methadone death sounds alarm – cnews

“It is exceedingly lethal if you don’t know what you are doing,” said Henry Eastabrook, an outreach worker with the London InterCommunity Health Centre. “Word is, powdered methadone is on the street right now.”

Drug Court & Rehab Needed – Mississippi
A call to action – Laurel Leader-Call

Recently, Citizens for a Better Mississippi founded a project to combat the need of a drug court in Jones County. These problems of having citizens who need drug rehab is not something new. It is working in city and counties across America. These drug courts have allowed citizens to return to their communities and to become productive citizens.

Spice Ban – US Military
DoD Prohibits Use of ‘Spice’ – Naval Medical on dcmilitary.com

K2, an herbal drug which causes hallucinogenic effects similar to marijuana often referred to as ‘‘spice” and marketed as an ‘‘all natural” incense has led to a crackdown of its use by the Department of Defense.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Awareness – USA Study
Risk of Teens’ Drug Involvement Goes Down With Nurturing Family Relationships – MeD India

The positive impact of family relationships and religious affiliation could bring down the risk of teenagers getting involved with drugs, states a new study.

Cocaine Bust – Colombia
Eight held over $100m cocaine haul – THE INDEPENDENT

US officials working with Colombian authorities said yesterday that they had arrested eight alleged drug traffickers and seized more than $100m-worth of cocaine.

Injection Drugs & HIV – Global Prevention
‘Seek, Test, Treat And Retain’ – New Global Report Launched By The International AIDS Society Recommends A New Paradigm For Treating IDU’s – Medical News TODAY

Against the backdrop of some of the globe’s fastest growing HIV epidemics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a report launched at the XVIII International AIDS  conference (AIDS 2010) in Vienna makes the case for a new model for scaling up treatment and prevention of HIV amongst Injecting Drug Users (IDUs).

Marijuana – New Jersey
Rutgers Just Says No to Pot Growing for NJ – First Coast News

TRENTON, N.J. — Rutgers University will not be getting into the marijuana-growing business.

Drugging Children – USA
Drugging Children: Unrecognized Form of Child Abuse? – abc NEWS / Health

Mom Accidentally Poisons Child With Cough Meds; Researcher Sees Problem as Child Abuse

Drug Smuggling Attempts Blocked – Arizona
Agents thwart 6 drug smuggling attempts on border – Associated Press

NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Agents at the Nogales port of entry in southeastern Arizona say they stopped six separate drug smuggling attempts over the weekend.

Cocaine Smuggling – USA
Moscow criticizes extradition of pilot to US – 9&10 News

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has criticized the arrest of a Russian pilot in Liberia by U.S. intelligence agents for alleged smuggling of South American cocaine.

Musicians Ban Alcohol – UK
Take That ban alcohol on tour – Thaindian News

London, July 22 (ANI): Members of the English pop band Take That have decided to ban backstage booze when they start their tour in 2011.

Heroin – Florida
Drug ring member allegedly smuggled heroin – UPI.com

MIAMI, July 22 (UPI) — A Colombian drug ring’s senior member, extradited to the United States, was charged in Miami with smuggling heroin, court records indicated.

Risky Drinking – USA
Caffeine and Alcohol: A New Fad With a Bad Buzz – The Huffington Post

Red Bull, Rock Star, Jolt, Monster, Amp — heard of these beverages? As the summer sun blazes, and late night parties abound, there are a lot of sleepy folks out there reaching for energy boosting drinks to get through the day. And if that was not enough caffeine for you, when it’s time to hit the bar scene, move over Carrie Bradshaw and the girlie Cosmo — the beverage of choice at local hot spots is blending high caffeinated drinks like Red Bull with vodka. The common belief is that “You can dance all night on Red Bull cocktails.”

Meth – Georgia
Adairsville man jailed on drug, traffic charges in Monday traffic stop – Calhoun Times

Adairsville Police reported today that they arrested a man on methamphetamine possession charges after he was pulled over in a traffic stop.

Marijuana – USA Celebrity
Paris Hilton Caught With Weed – Thaindian News

July 21, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): According to the sources, socialite Paris Hilton was detained in Cosica this Friday. She has held back about 30 minutes, when the sniffer dogs revealed a gram of marijuana from her bag.

Binge Drinking Study – USA
Kids of older women ‘vulnerable to effects of prenatal alcohol exposure’ – Thaindian News

Washington, July 21 (ANI): A recent study has revealed the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.

Alcohol Abuse at Colleges – USA Study
Colleges Not Meeting Guidelines To Limit Alcohol Access – Medical News TODAY

While many have implicated heavy student drinking in recent disturbances even tragedies on college campuses, few schools and communities have united successfully in curbing alcohol access, a new study suggests.

I-Dosing – UK
I-Dosing: ‘digitally high’ from downloaded music – Thaindian News

London, July 21 (IANS) They put on their headphones, drape a hood over their head and drift off into the world of ‘digital highs’.

Drinking Trends Increasing – USA
Increase In Drinking Trends For Whites, Blacks And Hispanics – Medical News TODAY

Given that Whites are the majority population in the United States, drinking trends for this group tend to determine overall trends in drinking for the country and simultaneously minimize trends and possible risks among Black and Hispanic populations. A study of trends in drinking patterns and amounts drank among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics from 1992 to 2002 has found a rise in the proportion of drinkers across all three ethnic groups and both genders.

Drug Bust – Maryland
Drugs Found In Car After Chase – wsbtv.com

FREDERICK, Md. — Frederick police have charged two Georgia men with numerous drug offenses after they fled a traffic stop.

Drug Trafficking Consequences – Iran
Four drug traffickers hanged in Iran – Thaindian News

Berlin, July 20 (DPA) Four convicted drug traffickers were hanged in Iran, news reports said Tuesday.

Jail Time – Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan handcuffed and sent to jail – Thaindian News

Los Angeles, July 20 (DPA) Lindsay Lohan’s repeated parole violations finally caught up with her Tuesday when the troubled young actress was handcuffed and sent to jail to serve a 90-day sentence. Lohan, 24, wore a plain black suit as she walked a gauntlet of fans and paparazzi on her way into the Los Angeles Superior Court to be remanded into custody.

Marijuana – California
Glendale police investigating home invasion, find marijuana – azcentral.com

Police are investigating after a woman told them three men attempted to force entry into her home early Sunday morning.

Cocaine – UK
Wholesale cocaine prices hit record levels – THE INDEPENDENT UK

Wholesale cocaine prices have reached record levels despite a huge drop in seizures of the drug, police said today.

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness – California
Local Prescription Drugs Awareness Coalition Aims to Become National Organization – DanvillePatch

The death of California High School graduate Joey Rovero from prescription drug abuse last December was a hard pill to swallow for family, friends and the community.

Mephedrone Study – UK
Legal high turns out to be unknown chemical in tests – BBC NEWS UK

An investigation for the BBC into the online drug trade has found dozens of new substances have flooded the market since mephedrone was banned earlier this year.

Prescription Drug Abuse – Oklahoma
Silent epidemic, Prescription drug abuse figures alarming – TULSA WORLD

No one ever sets out to become a drug addict. In fact many abusers of prescription drugs start out as legitimate users of medicines their own doctor prescribed, oftentimes of painkillers to help ease the pain of an injury.

Drug & Alcohol Crackdown – Saudi Arabia
Huge drug hauls made in Saudi Arabia – BangladeshNews.Net

A massive crackdown on narcotics in Saudi Arabia has also netted large amounts of banned alcohol.

Mephedrone – UK
Britain ‘floundering’ in online mephedrone crackdown – BBC NEWS UK

The government’s chief drugs adviser says the UK is “floundering” in its attempts to control the online mephedrone market.

Longtime Drug Kingpin Arrested – Puerto Rico
Jose Figueroa Agosto Arrested: Feds Catch Alleged Puerto Rico Drug Lord After 10-Year Hunt – The Huffington Post

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federal authorities arrested a fugitive alleged drug kingpin Saturday after a decade-long chase through the Caribbean marked by his narrow escapes and public taunting that he paid off police to remain free.

Pain Medicine Addiction – USA
Pain Med Addiction Skyrocketed Over The Last Decade In USA – Medical News TODAY

In 1998 2.2% of drug rehab patients were being treated for addiction to prescription pain relievers, in 2008 the percentage grew to 9.8%; more than a four-fold increase, according to a new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).