Drug News

Cocaine – South Carolina
Two arrested following 7-month drug investigation – CarolinaLive.com

The Horry County Police Department has announced the arrests of two people following a drug investigation. Officers launched the investigation after getting complaints of illegal drug activity.

Pill Mills – Florida
Feds Raid Pain Clinics Suspected of Illegally Distributing Millions of Prescription Drugs – abc Good Morning America

A raid on three South Florida pain clinics that are suspected of illegally distributing millions of prescription pills is the start of what authorities call a massive investigation of such “pill mills.”

Teen Drug Use – Nevada
Teen Drug Use on the Rise – LASVEGASNOW.com

LAS VEGAS — A new study by the Partnership for a Drug Free America says teen marijuana and alcohol use is on the rise. But while many are sticking to marijuana and alcohol, in Las Vegas, many teens are making the leap to heroin.

Marijuana – USA
38 percent teens smoking marijuana – Associated Press

A study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America says 38 percent of high school students have smoked marijuana in the last year.

Meth Addiction & Recovery – Colorado
Surviving meth: Local dads win back their lives, their kids – The Gazette

The stories of two single fathers surviving through meth addiction and recovery.

Cocaine Smuggling – Colorado
Suspected Cocaine Kingpin in Denver Court – Associated Press

A suspected drug kingpin blamed for smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine is due in a federal court in Denver.

Illegal Prescription Drug Distribution – USA
South Carolina doctor sentenced for illegal drug distribution – Thaindian News

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA (BNO NEWS) – A doctor, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, was sentenced to 41 months of supervised release for conspiring to illegally distribute oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald announced on Friday.

Drug Prevention – USA & Mexico
U.S. and Mexico issued a declaration of drug demand reduction cooperation – Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The White House announced on Friday that government officials from the U.S. and Mexico issued a declaration of drug demand reduction cooperation.

Drug Rehabilitation – World News
Narconon network celebrates its 44th birthday - Behavioral Health Central

The Narconon drug rehabilitation program began on February 19th, 1966, based on a decision by Arizona State Prison inmate by the name of William Benitez. After reading a book by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, “The Fundamentals of Thought”, Benitez recognized there could be a whole new approach to curing himself and helping others get permanently off drugs - concentrate on your abilities, rather than your addiction. It sounds simple now, but it wasn’t to an inmate who had tried every other method to get off drugs way back in ‘66.

Prescription Drug Abuse - USA
Superwoman syndrome credited to popping prescription pills – Thaindian News

New York, Feb 26 (ANI): A survey has revealed that most women, who are overwhelmed by jobs, kids and commitments, pop prescription pills to boost their energy, calm them down or for any other non medical reason.

Drunk Driving – USA
Police: Drunk man drove off with gas hose – UPI.com

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 25 (UPI) — Indiana police said they arrested an alleged drunk driver who drove away from a gas station with the nozzle and hose still attached to his vehicle.

Drug Related Incarceration – USA
Michael Douglas’ son Cameron to stay in jail until sentencing – Thaindian News

New York, Feb 26 (ANI): It has emerged that actor Michael Douglas’ drug-dealing son, Cameron, will remain in jail until he is sentenced in April.

Drug & Alcohol Rehab – USA
‘Two and a Half Men’ star Charlie Sheen goes into rehab – Norwalk Reflector

LOS ANGELES (MCT) - In a surprise development Tuesday that casts doubt on the rest of its season, television’s top-rated sitcom, “Two and a Half Men,” halted production after its star Charlie Sheen announced he was checking into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic.

Heroin – UK
Drug addict’s ‘letter to heroin’ published after her death –Telegraph.co.uk

The family of a teenage drug addict who wrote a moving letter to heroin days before she overdosed have released her words in the hope of inspiring other youngsters to steer clear of drugs.

Drug Addiction – USA
Kelly O: Drugs worse than being fat – Press Association

Kelly Osbourne claims she was looked down on for being overweight more than she was for her drug addiction.

Drug Testing – USA
Cubs minor leaguer says bring on testing - MESA, Ariz. – Southtown Star

While major league players, through their union, have resisted blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs, the Cubs’ top draft pick from last year said he’s all for baseball’s plan to start blood-testing minor leaguers for HGH.

Drug Prevention – USA
More Than $1.1 Million In Grants Available For Community-Based Drug Prevention Coalitions – Medical News TODAY

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of more than $1.1 million for new Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring program (DFC Mentoring) grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75,000 per grant, per year) to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions from across the nation. The length of the project period is up to two years.

Prescription Drug Abuse – Nepal
Date rape drugs, prescription pill abuse rising, warns report – Thaindian News

Kathmandu, Feb 25 (IANS) The use of “date rape drugs” as well as abuse of prescription drugs is rising with India emerging as one of the main sources of drugs sold through illegal Internet pharmacies, drugs watchdog International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has warned.

Drug Addiction – USA
Lindsay Lohan feared drugs death – EarthTimes

Lindsay Lohan has given a revealing interview about her struggle with drug addiction, admitting she feared she would die unless she got help.

Prescription Drugs – USA
Miami Prescription Drug Diverter Sentenced To 70 Months In Prison – Medical News Today

Jeffrey H. Sloman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and David W. Bourne, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office, announced that defendant Arnesto Segredo, 43, of Miami, a former prescription drug wholesaler, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Alan S. Gold to 70 months in prison.

Marijuana – USA
Marijuana Use By Seniors Goes Up As Boomers Age – The Huffington Post

MIAMI — In her 88 years, Florence Siegel has learned how to relax: A glass of red wine. A crisp copy of The New York Times, if she can wrest it from her husband. Some classical music, preferably Bach. And every night like clockwork, she lifts a pipe to her lips and smokes marijuana.

Marijuana – USA
Police Watch As $1Million in Marijuana Stolen? – Thaindian News

Louisville KY Feb 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Leaving from Memphis, Tennessee, a group of police officers were given the assignment of escorting a transfer truck carrying more than 1700 pounds of cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana, to Louisville, Kentucky. So why did the shipment never arrive?

Teen Drug Use Study – USA
Study Links Lack of Sleep to Increased Drug Use Among Teens – MeDIndia

Teens who sleep fewer than seven hours per night are more likely to use illegal drugs, according to a study released Sunday.

Drunk Driving – USA
Drunk Driving on the Rise Among Young Women – abc NEWS / Health

Increases in alcohol-related fatalities among young women drivers have outpaced the decade-long rise in such deaths among young men, researchers have found.

Illicit Drugs – Canada
Government Of Canada Works With Nova Scotia To Help Prevent Young People From Using Illicit Drugs – Medical News TODAY

Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, announced today the Government of Canada’s support for a project that will help prevent rural youth in Nova Scotia from taking illicit drugs. Greg Kerr made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.

Drug Trafficking Arrest – USA
Timmonsville officers hurt in drug bust – CarolinaLive.com

Timmonsville Police arrested a man Thursday night on charges of trafficking drugs.

Alcohol & Drugs – Famous Authors
The Drunks And Drug Addicts Of Literature – The Huffington Post

A few weeks ago, LIFE set up a gallery of the biggest drunks and drug addicts in literature. It’s no secret that many of the greatest authors throughout history have had some serious problems with substance abuse, but which were the worst? And did it affect their writing?

Alcohol – Canada
Doherty’s life-saving move – The Canadian Press

TORONTO — There was no California dreamin’ for the family of the late Halifax singer Denny Doherty, who co-founded the 1960s sunshine pop group the Mamas & the Papas. Emberly Doherty, his daughter, says her mother insisted he leave Los Angeles in the ’70s to escape the local rock ’n’ roll party scene that sparked his alcohol addiction.

Prescription Drug Theft – USA
Hickman Co. Emergency Officials Investigated – WSMV.com

The TBI confirmed it began an investigation at the request of the district attorney. The allegation is that prescription drugs were being stolen out of county ambulances for personal use.

Drunk Driving – USA
BREAKING NEWS: Erma Brown Pleads Guilty to DUI Crash that Killed Mother, Two St. Joe Students – WSAZ.com

The woman charged in that fiery crash that killed a mother and two St. Joe High School students has decided to avoid a trial and plead guilty to the charges.

Imitation Marijuana – USA
Cops: Imitation pot as bad as the real thing – The Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - There may be nothing like the real thing, but some industrious marijuana users have seized on an obscure but easily accessible substance that mimics the drug’s effects on the brain - creating a popular trade in legal dope that has stymied law enforcement authorities.

Prescription Drug Addiction – USA
Lindsay Lohan Needs Three Months Of Rehab, Says Her Dad – RADARonline.com

“I’ve been trying to get into court with the judge for a long time,” Lohan told RadarOnline.com. “The last time she was in court the judge should have drug tested her. If she had, I know Lindsay would have come up dirty and she would have been thrown into rehab.”

Tax Increase For Substance Abuse Programs – USA
Beer tax increase discussed in House – The Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Beer drinkers in West Virginia could pay 3 cents more per bottle or can under a House of Delegates proposal that seeks to raise money for substance-abuse programs.

Drug Trafficking – Colombia
Colombian navy destroys submarine meant for carrying drugs – Thaindian News

Bogota, Feb 18 (IANS/EFE) The Colombian navy found and destroyed a semi-submersible vessel with the capacity to carry between eight and 10 tons of cocaine in the province of Narino, but no arrests were made, a senior official said. The vessel was found in the town of Mosquera, near the Pacific, hidden in dense vegetation, Pacific Joint Command chief Gen. Justo Eliseo Pena told EFE.

Drunk Driving – Global News
Drunk Young Women Involved in Fatal Car Crashes in US on the Rise – MeDIndia

The number of young women driving under the influence of alcohol and involved in fatal car crashes is increasing, indicates research published in Injury Prevention.

Alcohol Fueled Violence – USA
Linda Newstrom: Mom Charged With Assaulting Son With Baseball Bat – The Huffington Post

CHARLEROI, Pa. — A southwestern Pennsylvania woman was charged with hitting her adult son with a Louisville Slugger after she allegedly came home drunk. Linda Newstrom, 49, faces a preliminary hearing Feb. 25 on simple assault and other crimes in Valentine’s Day incident.

Alcohol Rehab – USA
Three graduate from first DUI Court – DailyInterLake.com

The first graduates of Kalispell’s DUI Court celebrated an end to their yearlong program and a new outlook on life during a ceremony Monday night.

Meth Arrest – USA
Pa. suspect’s fatal leap after drug arrest probed – timesleader.com

Authorities in western Pennsylvania are investigating the death of an Ohio woman who jumped 35 feet into a hospital parking lot as she was being escorted to jail after a drug arrest.

Drug Trafficking – Venezuela
Venezuela seizes 28 airplanes presumably used by drug traffickers – StarTribune.com

CARACAS, Venezuela - Authorities have discovered 28 airplanes in central Venezuela that were presumably being used by drug traffickers.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Danger signs of prescription drug abuse in the elderly – examiner.com

It is estimated that about one-third of all drugs prescribed in the United States are intended for patients who are 65 or older.  Although drug abuse has never been seen as a problem involving seniors, recent studies have alerted doctors and pharmacists to the potential for drug abuse among the elderly.

Cocaine – Canada
$10 million worth of cocaine seized in Canada – Thaindian News

Ottawa, Feb 14 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Canadian officials have seized a container that had around $10 million worth of cocaine. An innocent looking container was shipped to Halifax, and when it was X-Rayed then it was found that it had over 440 pounds of cocaine.

Drug War – Latin America
Latin America rejects old US approach in drugs war – Stabroek News

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – As an increasingly violent and costly drugs war clogs up prisons with small-time users,  some Latin American countries are abandoning hardline U.S. policies on consumption to intensify the fight against major  traffickers.

Drugs – Scotland
Police seal off streets in Edinburgh in major hunt for hidden gun and drug stash –DailyRecord.co.uk

A LARGE-SCALE search was launched today for guns and drugs which may have been stashed in the garden of a suburban home.

Meth – USA
Maverick’s Surf Contest: From meth head to motivator, Flea’s turnaround has widespread impact – Santa Cruz Sentinel

It will be one of the rare times he has surfed the Maverick’s Surf Contest clear-headed and sober — a seeming advantage for the three-time champion and big-wave legend. Oddly, his newfound sobriety is likely to keep him from performing the death-defying antics that could lead to title No. 4.

Anxiety Drugs – World Research News
Valium link to heroin is unfounded – Bury Free Press

“Anxiety drugs like Valium are addictive in the same way as heroin,” said the Daily Mail, reporting on research into the actions of the drug.

Drunk Driving Study – USA
Energy Drinks, Alcohol a Dangerous Mix – Bio-Medicine

Study found college students who drank both were more drunk, more likely to drive

Marijuana – USA
267 marijuana plant seized at local residence – ColoradoConnection.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Colorado Springs police, while on an unrelated traffic stop, were advised of a possible marijuana grow in a residence located at 218 E. Camarillo St., and that the odor of marijuana could be smelled venting from the residence.

Drug Addiction – USA
Actor Wes Bentley Rebuilds Career after Beating Addiction – Drug Addiction Treatment

Eleven years ago, Wes Bentley was a 21-year-old Julliard dropout living in Los Angeles with a Polaroid for a head shot and not enough money to eat at Taco Bell, writes Patrick Healy of the New York Times. But after his performance as Ricky Fitts in “American Beauty,” which won the Academy Award for best picture, he was riding in limos and drawing paparazzi. But after his initial success, Bentley turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress of stardom, and addiction took over his life for several years.

Marijuana Rehab – New Zealand
Potheads to be forced into rehab – Stuff.co.nz

Chronic pot-smokers will be forced into rehabilitation, with the Government supporting a proposal in a new Law Commission report.

Illegal Drugs – USA
Kansas couple charged of running a drug house near local elementary school – Thaindian News

TOPEKA, KANSAS (BNO NEWS) – A male and a female were indicted on Thursday with two counts of maintaining a residence for the purpose of storing and distributing cocaine and marijuana in Lenexa, Kansas, prosecutors said.

Heroin – UK
North West: Anthrax Case Confirmed By HPA In Blackpool – Medical News Today

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Blackpool can confirm they are investigating the death of a drug injecting heroin user in Blackpool.

Meth – USA
Police say they believe meth lab caused fire at Red Roof Inn – Kalamazoo News

KALAMAZOO — Kalamazoo police say they believe it was a small explosion from a methamphetamine lab that touched off a fire at the East Cork Street Red Roof Inn around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Heroin – USA
O’Fallon, Illinois man guilty in heroin overdose death case – Thaindian News

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS (BNO NEWS) – A man of O’Fallon, Illinois, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a federal indictment on count of distributing of heroin resulting in death, prosecutors announced.

Overdose – USA
Slain girl’s mom guilty in overdose death – UPI.com

BROCKTON, Mass., Feb. 10 (UPI) — A Massachusetts woman is guilty of murdering her 4-year-old daughter by giving the girl a fatal drug overdose, a jury has determined.

Marijuana – USA
Nashville police seize 2 tons of pot – UPI.com

NASHVILLE, Feb. 10 (UPI) — The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department says it seized 2 tons of marijuana in the largest single drug seizure in department history.

Substance Abuse – USA
Army Aims to Combat Substance Abuse - MMX, CBS Interactive Inc.

The Army’s No. 2 officer says his branch of the military needs twice as many substance-abuse counselors to treat the rising number of soldiers needing help.

Marijuana – USA
Two New Yorkers arrested for heroin and marijuana possession in Tarrytown – Thaindian News

TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – Two New York residents were arrested last Tuesday in Tarrytown for heroin and marijuana possession, state police announced on Wednesday.

Drug Arrests – Columbia
Colombia makes sweeping drug arrests – UPI.com

Colombia has embarked on what officials describe as the largest anti-narcotics operation in the last 10 years.

Mandatory Drug Testing – USA
Make Welfare Recipients Get Drug Tested! – The Huffington Post

If you think this is a fabulous idea, you’re not alone. A friend told me about the Facebook group “Making Drug Tests required to Get Welfare,” which has nearly 2 million members and counting.

Drunk and Drug Driving – India
Mumbai’s drunk woman driver was also on drugs, show tests – Thaindian News

Mumbai, Feb 10 (IANS) Nooriya Haveliwala, accused of drunk-driving and knocking a policeman and a man dead Jan 30, has tested positive for drugs and faces fresh charges under anti-narcotics laws, police said here Wednesday.
The medical reports of the 27-year-old woman’s blood and urine samples tested positive for morphine and cannabis, Additional Police Commissioner (South) R.K. Padmanabhan told mediapersons.