Drug News

MARIJUANA AND ECSTASY – UK
More teens on drugs: After 10 year decline marijuana and ecstasy use rises – Daily Mail

‘We encourage parents and caregivers to pay attention to the warning signs of teen drinking and other drug use, in order to intervene early and effectively. ‘If you suspect a problem, do not wait to get help for a child who is struggling with substance abuse.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
$36M to be used to fight prescription drug abuse in Ohio – Dayton Daily News

John Kasich on Tuesday announced $36 million in federal and local funds would be used to fight the scourge of prescription drug abuse, which now accounts for more deaths statewide than car accidents or suicides.

DRUG REHAB – AUSTRALIA
User had not fallen far enough to qualify for rehab – Logan West Leader

With no permanent home, Deborah has been “couch surfing” with her child for 12 months, mostly at the homes of other drug addicts. She was turned away from the city’s only residential rehabilitation centre because her addiction “wasn’t bad enough”.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
The end of racing’s drug addiction? – ESPN

Something big, bigger than a press release from RCI, needs to happen now, something to really build up momentum for the anti-drug cause. And the Breeders’ Cup is exactly the organization that should lead the way.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – INDIA
More city schoolchildren get hooked to whiteners – Times of India

CHENNAI: Counsellors working among alcoholics and drug addicts in the city are seeing a rise in the number of youngsters addicted to whiteners and other inhalants. At least 20 children are undergoing de-addiction from whiteners in the city.

DRUG ABUSE – SOUTH AFRICA
Painful accounts of drugs at tribute – Independent Online

Orgill lost her only son, Troy, three years ago when he committed suicide because of his drug addiction. She said: “One day he told me he loved me and an hour later I was cutting a rope from his neck trying to breathe life into him.”

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
State invites Alaska community coalitions to apply for alcohol abuse prevention grant – Greenfield Daily Reporter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska officials are encouraging community coalitions statewide to apply for grants to develop alcohol prevention programs. The state is planning to issue six grants for programs focusing on alcohol use among residents.

ALCOHOL – USA
Program aimed at preventing teen alcohol fatalities – Dothan Eagle
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The Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership staged a mock fatal car accident for seniors and juniors at Rehobeth High School on Wednesday morning.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin exacting a toll on suburbia – Chicago Sun-Times
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Heroin maintains a choke hold on many of those who abuse illegal substances, particularly young Chicago suburbanites. And it is deadlier than ever.

BATH SALTS/HEROIN – USA
Battle Against Bath Salts & Synthetic Marijuana Gains Ground – FOX43.com

Bath salts are power synthetic stimulants designed to rival cocaine or methamphetamine. Those who use bath salts often feel agitated, paranoid, may hallucinate and commit violent acts. “Bath salts may represent the most dangerous drug crisis we face.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Fact-checking claims about the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program – The Florida Independent

The evidence suggests that states which are proactive in their approach to regulation are more effective in reducing the per-capita supply of prescription pain relievers and stimulants.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Suspect: Drug sale was April Fools’ joke – UPI.com
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The task force said Medeiros told the agents she had to take the money to another location to get the drugs from a third-party dealer and she left the scene with $525. Agents said the woman never returned. Medeiros was later located inside a vehicle.

COCAINE – USA
Councilman Arrested, Facing Drug Charge – WSMV Nashville ‎

According to a detective, the arrest came after deputies recently observed Pyrdom as he sold a gram of cocaine in a Walmart parking lot in Shelbyville. “It was a jaw-dropper,” said Moore County Mayor Sloan Stewart.

ECSTASY – USA
Experts study, fear long-term effects of ‘Ecstasy’ – Deseret News

Addiction is not the big concern with MDMA or “Ecstasy”; it’s mostly a weekend party drug, experts said. But evidence of a probable bad long-term impact is growing as researchers delve deeper into MDMA.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – UK
Drug runners to avoid prison under sentencing guidelines – Telegraph.co.uk

Drug runners and small–scale dealers could escape prison even if caught with a 50–gram bag of cocaine or heroin or dozens of Ecstasy pills, under planned new guidance for courts.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Meth Labs Multiply as Cleanup Dollars Shrink – ABC News

Last year, Sheriff Joe Guy’s department busted 161 meth labs in McMinn County in eastern Tennessee — at an average cost to the federal government of $3250 per lab. This year, he’s expecting at least as many labs as in 2010.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – USA
Sentencing changes in some states at a glance – Seattle Post Intelligencer

Two bipartisan measures are pending that would repeal minimum mandatory sentences for drug offenses and nonviolent crimes, and increase substance abuse treatment for inmates. Conservative groups say the legislation could save Florida $ millions.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Bill would send drug bust money to treatment programs – Bloomington Pantagraph
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SPRINGFIELD — County prosecutors would be able to dedicate money seized during drug busts to local substance abuse treatment centers under a proposal approved Thursday by the Illinois House. State’s attorneys get a percentage of money or property.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Local School Districts Get Grant to Fight Drug & Alcohol Use – KAALtv.com
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Officials say it’s a drug and alcohol abuse among teens is growing problem in our area. Now, the Minnesota Department of Human Services is putting its money where its mouth is, offering up a one-million-dollar grant to help Southeast Minnesota schools put a stop to the trend.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Price per Head: Jets QB Ainge tries to recover from drug abuse – Bookmakersinc.co.uk ‎

The New York Post reported that Erik Ainge, quarterback, who was drafted in 2008 by the New York Jets as a very talented project, appears to have completely jeopardized his potential in the NFL, as he detailed his drug and alcohol use.

ALCOHOL – USA
NY Cracks Down on ‘Alcopop’ Abuse – Food Product Design‎

Chairman of the Senate Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee unveiled an aggressive plan to restrict minors’ access to high-alcohol malted beverages or “alcopops” similar to Four Loko that have been deemed unsafe by the US Food and Drug Administration.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Meth Labs Growing Problem in Acadiana – KATC Lafayette News
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Narcotics agents arrested one man in connection with a shake and bake methamphetamine operation in Carencro Friday, after finding by-products in the 600 block of Benoit Road. Agents said they’ve seen a significant increase in meth labs just this year.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Georgia House Passes Prescription Drug Abuse Legislation – Rome News Wire
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The Georgia House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 36 with a vote of 117 to 45 on Thursday, showing tremendous bipartisan support for the measure that would help doctors and pharmacists identify prescription drug abusers.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Epidemic of pain-pill abuse continues unabated – The Seattle Times
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Clusky first tried OxyContin at age 17 with his school buddies, shortly after the high-powered narcotic painkiller went on the market. He was an occasional user and seller until about age 21, when he became fully addicted.