Drug News

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription drug abuse kills more than heroin and cocaine – WAFF
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The Centers for Disease Control reports prescription drug overdoses account for more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Special grand jury to probe doctor shopping – Newsday
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A special grand jury will be empaneled in Suffolk County to investigate doctor shopping and the possible criminal conduct of physicians in the prescribing of painkiller pills. DA Thomas Spota said his office has seen a surge in fatal car accidents and criminal activity related to prescription drug abuse.

ECSTASY – USA
Feds nab police captain in coke, Ecstasy ring – Tallahassee Democrat
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A captain with the Opa-Locka Police Department and seven others were indicted Thursday after a two-year federal investigation into a cocaine, Ecstasy and Oxycodone ring operating in South Florida.

HEROIN – USA
Geneva woman has been to 100 funerals for heroin victims – Daily Herald

In the past 10 years, Lea Minalga estimates she’s been to more than 100 funerals in the West and Northwest suburbs — all for young people who overdosed on drugs, mostly heroin. Many of them were teenagers. “Sadly, I know most of them.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS/HEROIN – USA
Deadly resurgence – Denton Record Chronicle
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Heroin: That was the drug of the old days when junkies nodded on street corners, and it killed entertainers like Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin and John Belushi. Heroin: That’s the drug of today, when prescription medication abusers buy is as a cheaper alternative for the same euphoria they get from OxyContin, Vicodin and Dilaudid. It’s the drug of choice for half the abusers in Denton and the North Texas area.

ALCOHOL – USA
Sunday alcohol sales start in some Georgia cities – Anderson Independent Mail
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Retailers in several Georgia cities began ringing up beer, wine and liquor Sunday for the first time since voters in many communities statewide ended more than a century of banning alcohol sales on what many consider a day of worship. Keidra Dobbs of Duluth said she was “definitely excited” to be able to pick up some beer Sunday from a package store near her house before settling down to watch sports. “It’s been kind of an inconvenience,” Dobbs said. “Like last week, when I had to rush to get to the store by 11:45 Saturday night before they stop selling.”

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alcohol causes ‘one in five’ deaths by injury – The West Australian
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Alcohol contributes to one in five of all deaths from injury in WA, including almost one-quarter of all road accident fatalities, new figures show.

CLUB DRUGS – UK
Third of clubbers who take mephedrone may be addicted, survey finds – The Guardian
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Three in 10 clubbers who take the drug mephedrone exhibit symptoms associated with addiction, a study has found. Many users of the banned substance, sometimes called “meow meow”, had several signs of dependence, including withdrawal effects, failed attempts to give up, and taking larger and larger doses.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Arrests mark U.S. prescription drug abuse crackdown – Reuters

U.S. authorities arrested 22 people in Florida on Friday, including pharmacists and doctors, in a crackdown against prescription drug abuse that officials say is the nation’s fastest growing drug problem.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Tennessee drug task force waging lonely war on Rx diversion – KnoxNews
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Tennessee created a statewide task force on prescription-drug abuse four years ago and never set aside a penny to fund it. The state Drug Diversion Task Force subsists on volunteer efforts in its battle against Tennessee’s most widespread drug problem. “Everybody thinks we get money,” said Elizabeth Sherrod, the task force coordinator. “We get nothing. Speakers at our meetings travel at their own expense.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Expert on drug abuse tells local conference that fatal overdoses are rising – Herald
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For the first time in 2010, the leading cause of accidental death in the country was from accidental fatal overdose with prescription opiates as the primary drug involved.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription drug abuse video contest launched for Ky. high school students – WPSD Local 6

Kentucky high school students are being asked to enter a video contest as part of efforts to educate the public about the dangers of prescription drug addiction.

ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE – USA
Talk to children about drugs, alcohol – Auburn Citizen
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Did you know that the average American has his or her first drink around age 14? According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, almost 80 percent of high school students have tried alcohol. In an average month, about 9 million Americans teens drink alcohol. A study done recently by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center states that underage alcohol use happens between fifth and sixth grade!

ALCOHOL ABUSE – UGANDA
Excessive Alcohol Consumption is a key to chronic poverty in Uganda – New Vision
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Excessive Alcohol Consumption is a key ‘’driver and maintainer’’ of chronic poverty in Uganda. The reason why excessive consumption of alcohol has become a new frontier for chronic poverty in Uganda is that, the discussion on excessive alcohol consumption in the country has for long been in the back –seat of what is considered to be ‘’ personal choices.’’ This mentality has hindered attempts to bring the issue into the public domain and the frontline of public policy.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Baby seller case: Not first time a child taken from Fousek because of meth exposure – Mercury News

A jury Tuesday convicted a Salinas man of endangering the baby girl he exposed to methamphetamine and offered to sell in a Walmart parking lot last year. What the jury did not know, and what Judge Pamela Butler will take into consideration when sentencing Patrick Fousek, is that it’s not the first time one of his children has been taken from him because of methamphetamine exposure.

PARTY DRUGS – UK
Party drug meow meow kills one young Briton a week – Daily Mail

Banned last year, mephedrone is blamed for causing a further 19 users to commit suicide. Children are also at risk from the increasing availability of so-called ‘legal highs’, a Home Office report found

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
One Young Woman’s Descent Into Prescription Drug Addiction – WGRZ TV

It has become what law enforcement officials are calling an epidemic in Western New York: young people getting addicted to prescription pain medication. One of those young people- Destinee Henderson, one time straight A student and varsity soccer player at Newfane High School agreed to share the story of her addiction, whose eventually led her to selling her body and which nearly cost her her life.

HEROIN – UK
WILL heroin USAGE ROCKET IN A SLUMP? – Wales Online
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HEROIN use in Wales could rocket if the nation slumps further into recession, a leading drugs agency has warned.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Students don’t consider alcohol a drug – SW Iowa News
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Last October, a 17-year-old Harlan high-school student died from acute alcohol intoxication. Earlier this year, police arrested a 15-year-old girl at Storm Lake High School and charged her with possession of alcohol. A report found that nearly half of all high-school students use addictive substances, and 1 in 3 of those users are addicted.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Ga. doctors develop prescription drug abuse prevention program – ‎Atlanta Journal Constitution

The supply chain for abuse of highly addictive drugs often can be traced back to a doctor’s prescription pad. So doctors are capitalizing on their unique position to combat the illegal use of prescription drugs by leading a statewide campaign to keep such medicines out of the wrong hands.

ALCOHOL ABUSE/DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Study: Alcohol, Drug Hospitalizations Rise – Patch.com
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A rising number of young adults nationwide, between ages 18 and 24, have been hospitalized for alcohol and drug overdoses. One out of three hospitalizations for overdoses in young adults involved excessive consumption of alcohol. “Alcohol overdoses alone caused 29,000 hospitalizations, combined alcohol and other drug overdoses caused 29,000, and drug overdoses alone caused another 114,000. The cost of these hospitalizations now exceeds $1.2 billion per year just for 18 to 24-year-olds.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Family Dinners Linked to Less Risky Behavior in Teens – ABC News
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Compared to teens who ate with their families five to seven times a week, teenagers who had fewer than three family dinners a week were almost four times more likely to try tobacco, more than twice as likely to use alcohol and 2.5 times more likely to use marijuana.

ECSTASY – AUSTRALIA
Ecstasy crime ring smashed, says AFP – Sydney Morning Herald

A highly sophisticated drug ring has been smashed by federal authorities with the seizure of a record haul of a precursor drug capable of producing $70 million worth of ecstasy.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
War on prescription drug abuse has a need for speed – Tampa Bay Online

The number leaping from the page whenever the topic turns to prescription drug addiction is seven. Seven is the number of Floridians who suffer prescription-drug-related deaths each day. Seven also is the number of days, under the latest “pill-mill” statute, between reports pharmacies have to make to the state’s new database.

ALCOHOL/DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Amy Winehouse’s death: Rising numbers of people checking into rehab – Mirror.co.uk

Soaring numbers of patients have been checking into rehab following the death of Amy Winehouse. “One woman was sobbing saying she knew she needed help and that Amy’s death has brought it all home to her.”

ALCOHOL/DRUG REHAB – USA
Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller together again – HULIQ.com

Sheen and Mueller first broke up in 2009. Reports of drug problems and rehab seemed to fuel their split. Currently Sheen is helping Mueller get through rehab and states he is also getting clean.

HEROIN – USA
35 indicted for participating in major heroin-trafficking ring – WTKR Your NewsChannel 3

Thirty-five individuals have been indicted for participating in a heroin-trafficking organization that transported several kilograms of the narcotic from New York City into the Tidewater area. Each faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

ALCOHOL – USA
Books & booze: Can Iowa schools, students put end to tragedies? – DesMoinesRegister.com

No single intervention will solve the problem,” said Ralph Hingson of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “If they think just adopting one program is going to do this, it’s not going to happen.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Jerome Block Jr. admits to prescription drug addiction, but won’t resign – KOB.com

Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. says he fighting an addiction to prescription drugs.

ECSTASY – USA
‘Bath Salts’ Have Effects Similar to Meth, Ecstasy – Medscape

Mephedrone is sold as “bath salts” or as other innocuous products in an effort to sidestep drug laws, DEA Special Agent Gary Boggs tells WebMD. “In order to escape law enforcement scrutiny, products are labeled ‘not for human consumption,’ but they know full well it is intended for that.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Methamphetamine Abuse May Raise Parkinson’s Risk – U.S. News & World Report

People who abuse methamphetamine or other stimulants are at increased risk for Parkinson’s disease, a new study warns.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
SW Virginia drug abuse cast in workforce terms – Houston Chronicle

A coalition fighting prescription drug abuse in southwest Virginia is casting its battle in economic terms, saying substance abuse has made it more difficult for employers to hire workers. “What we’ve heard, time and time again from employers, is their frustration that so many people they are trying to hire are either unwilling to take, or unable to pass, a drug test.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
‘Pill-mill’ doctors responsible for much prescription-drug abuse – TC Palm
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How about a “zero tolerance” policy for the pill-mill doctors? Let’s levy a fine closer to $100,000 than $10,000, permanently revoke their medical license, and deliver a mandatory prison term for homicide. In the “war against drugs,” these doctors are the worst kind of war criminal.

BATH SALTS – USA
Bath salts: America’s newest drug addiction – Examiner.com

Synthetic drugs, being sold under the facade of “bath salts,” have quickly become a cause for alarm with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and federal authorities.

COCAINE – BRAZIL
Outrage: Rio Drug Dealers Sell Amy Winehouse Brand Cocaine‎ – Student Operated Press

Drug dealers in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro are packaging their product with pictures of Amy Winehouse in a bid to make the drug more attractive to younger users.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Campus Life 101: Staying Sober – Fox News

As a high school senior, Aaron Weir decided to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, not for any particular academic program but for the hospitality that school extends toward students in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. “I was 16 years old when I got clean and sober and I want to stay that way in college.”

HEROIN – USA
Heroin ‘lamp shades’ lead to arrest – Washington Post

Upon closer inspection, the officers noticed that the frames contained a “brown powdery substance” that tested positive for heroin. A lot of it.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Arrests won’t solve prescription drug problem, leaders say‎ – Charleston Gazette

“Law enforcement cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” Smithers said. “It’s way beyond that.” West Virginia has the nation’s highest rate of drug overdose deaths. More than 90 percent involve prescription drugs.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Teens take road to addiction early in life – Times Free Press

The road to teen addiction often begins when children are still young enough to climb into their parents’ laps. The majority of alcohol and drug abuse begins right before adulthood, Columbia researchers said, but small children who see their parents smoking, drinking or pill-popping are more likely to give it a whirl during their teenage years.

HEROIN – USA
Richland man charged in 3rd heroin-related death – The News Tribune

A 35-year-old alleged drug dealer now is charged with the deaths of three Tri-Citians who overdosed after using his heroin. In the newest case filed against Brian Haney Burt, the Richland man reportedly found the victim in a poor condition but panicked and left without getting help.

DRUG REHAB – USA
School nurse pushing for Mineral County youth drug rehab – Keyser Mineral Daily News Tribune

She hopes the community will support the endeavor. “Everybody in some way or another has been touched by drug addition,” she said.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Former Mich. drug addict prepares for 10K run – Chicago Tribune

The Guiding Light runners also could take inspiration from Odyssey House in New York City, where recovering drug addicts have built a notable record of achievement by training for and completing the 26.2 miles of the New York City Marathon.

ECSTASY – USA
Corpus Christi police find 10000 Ecstasy tablets – Corpus Christi Caller Times

Officers found a bag containing 4.85 pounds of Ecstasy tablets, which have a street value of more than $100,000.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Meth ‘Cook Houses’ Gone, Demand For Drug Lingers – NPR

Most of the crystal methamphetamine sold in the U.S. today is manufactured south of the border. Riverside County, Calif., has become a transportation hub for the drug.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Colorado bill further targeting medications associated with meth manufacture – Denver Post

“Unfortunately, users and drug abusers and drug dealers always try to think of a new way to make drugs,” said Ernest Martinez, president of the Colorado Drug Investigators Association. “Even moving them back behind the counter is not conducive to stopping them from doing what they are doing.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Police say meth lab discovered in Genesee County – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Matthew J. Zon, 29, and Tricia M. Tundo, 24, each were charged with unlawful disposal of methamphetamine laboratory material, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Jodie Sweetin’s Kids Unaware of Her Drug Struggles – People Magazine

It’s been a long road to recovery for Jodie Sweetin, who battled with alcohol and meth addiction on and off for more than a decade.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – NEW ZEALAND
“Breakfast Beer” Slammed by Critics – Fox News

The beer, made by Marlborough brewery Moa, contains 5.5 percent alcohol. National Addiction Centre director Doug Sellman said the marketing of the beer was “a completely irresponsible stunt from a health and addiction perspective, because it is normalizing pathological behavior.”

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Drug-prevention seminars offered through June 1 – Canton Repository

The Stark County Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Outreach Project will present free drug preventional and educational seminars on Wednesdays, Wednesday, April 13, through June 1.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – CANADA
Addict tells students the hard facts about drug and alcohol use – Sault Star
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Christie, a 30-year recovering alcoholic and drug addict, is in Sault Ste. Marie this week speaking to senior elementary and secondary school students on the consequences of experimenting with drugs and alcohol. “Elementary school is the right time for this talk. By high school it’s too late, the kids have likely made their choices,”

HEROIN – USA
Heroin deaths nearly triple in Lake County – Chicago Tribune

The death rate from heroin in Lake County has nearly tripled since 2007, and the sheriff believes it’s because heroin is relatively cheap and potent. Sheriff Mark Curran says there has been “an explosion” of heroin overdose deaths.

HEROIN – UK
Heroin overdose antidote should be given to prisoners, ministers told – The Guardian

One in eight prisoners take a heroin overdose within two weeks of leaving jail, Les Iversen said. The government’s official drug advisers are urging ministers to provide all prisoners at risk of overdosing with a “magic medicine” that could save up to 500 lives a year.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Alcohol Awareness Goes Hand in Hand With April – Patch.com

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. The Community Parent Center encourages parents to educate themselves and then talk to their teens about alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and other risky behaviors.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Inside Slant: Alcohol abuse at the ballpark is not acceptable behavior – The Desert Sun

Several witnesses told police the attackers of the Giants fan were drunk. As long as alcohol abuse continues to be treated as acceptable behavior in our ballparks and on our roads, people will continue to suffer the consequences.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
An Issue of Influence: Alcohol, drugs can lead to domestic abuse – Park Rapids Enterprise

The annual cost to the nation of untreated abuse of alcohol and other drugs is $276 billion, yet only $3 billion is spent on prevention, treatment, and research of substance abuse of all types – with only a small amount designated for child welfare cases.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – AUSTRALIA
No booze if ID on ban list – NTNews.com.au

Problem drinkers will be banned from buying alcohol at takeaway bottleshops in the Territory if their name appears on a banned list. All Territorians will have their ID scanned at bottleshop registers in an attempt to curb alcohol abuse.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Baseball world shocked as Ramirez retires – AFP

LOS ANGELES — The American baseball community expressed surprise and shock that disgraced slugger Manny Ramirez chose to retire rather than take part in the league’s drug rehab programme for a second time. The Tampa Bay player called it a day Friday,

DRUG REHAB – USA
School nurse pushing for Mineral County youth drug rehab – Keyser Mineral Daily News Tribune

By Liz Beavers FORT ASHBY – As a school nurse at three schools in the Frankfort District, Tammy Hansford can see a very clear need for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for adolescents. Noting that there is a normal waiting period of six weeks. “Once somebody decides they want help, you have to get them help,” she said.

ALCOHOL – USA
Few Alcoholics Realize They Need Help – WebMD
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that of the nation’s 7.4 million adults aged 21 and 64 who have untreated alcohol abuse, only 1.2% believe they could benefit from treatment. And only 7.8% recognize that they need treatment.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Here’s to me – Sydney Morning Herald
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After four years documenting the nation’s escalating toll of alcohol abuse as a health writer, I knew more than most about the consequences of risky drinking. But it didn’t deter me. I was first on the dance floor, last to leave the party and winner of the inaugural ”Jill Stark drinking award” at last year’s staff Christmas bash.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Pregnant women could face ban on buying alcohol – ABC Online
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The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation owns three shops in Alice Springs and is concerned about the effects of foetal alcohol syndrome in babies. The corporation’s Darryl Pearce says Alice Springs is facing many problems associated with alcohol abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Abuse – Effect Of Underage Binge Drinking To Brain Development Disclosed – Star Global Tribune‎

This may come as a surprise to some, but recent surveys indicate that episodes of heavy alcohol drinking within the previous two weeks are reported by 12 percent of 8th graders, 22 percent of 10th graders, 28 percent of 12th grade seniors and 44 …

ECSTASY – CANADA
Bad ecstasy puts several in hospital – TheChronicleHerald
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Several young Haligonians have gotten seriously ill after ingesting bad ecstasy and at least one is still in hospital, Halifax drug officers said Thursday. “They were in a serious medical condition,” said Constable David Lane.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Sheriff: Mobile meth labs create ‘toxic’ dangers to highway cleanup crews – Muskegon Chronicle
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The toxic residue is found on paraphernalia used to make “mobile” methamphetamine labs, said Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler. Mobile meth labs are operated out of vehicles and then discarded along highways statewide, Roesler said.

DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Addicts paid to use contraception – BBC News‎

By Liam Blyth & Kieran Turner BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast A US charity says it has paid 26 female drug addicts in Britain to have contraceptive implants or coils fitted. Project Prevention told BBC Radio 5 live it had given the women initial payments of …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Families Anonymous helps family members of drug addicts – WBIR-TV‎

Cooper’s past drug addiction not only hurt him, it hurt his father and mother as well. “We’re just drained,” said Steven’s father, William Cooper. “It drains every aspect of you. Your friends, your companionship. You withdraw. All day long you’re chasing what they’ve done and what they’re going to do and that night when you go to bed your brain is just worn out because that’s all you’re thinking about.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Doctors feeding addicts’ habits with painkillers: all too common – Boston Globe ‎

What’s more, nearly a quarter of all patients (both high- and low-risk) received two or more early refills of the opiates — often a sign of addiction. “We were disturbed to find that patients with a drug use disorder were seen less frequently in the …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Abuse of legal drugs growing problem – Newnan Times-Herald
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Georgia’s top law enforcement officials gathered at a day-long summit this week to forge a strategy to fight back against the growth of prescription drug abuse and addiction in Georgia.

ALCOHOL – USA
Dad, I Prefer the Shiraz – Wall Street Journal‎

Should parents introduce children to help them drink more responsibly or does early exposure lead to an increase in alcohol abuse later on? Kelsey Hubbard talks with WSJ’s Health Columnist Melinda Beck about new government studies on the topic.

ALCOHOL – USA
Christina Aguilera Arrested for Public Intoxication; Refuses Treatment – TheCelebrityCafe.com
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TMZ recently learned that some of Christina’s friends and business associates have been pleading with her to get treatment for alcohol abuse. A source revealed that Christina’s drinking became an issue during her divorce.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Oklahoma Worries About Cost of Meth Lab Cleanup After DEA Cuts Off Funding – Fox News
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The federal government is cutting off funds to help states clean up the mess left behind by methamphetamine labs, raising concerns about the cost local governments will have to shoulder to avert health risks.

DRUG ABUSE – USA
Dick Morris calls Ron Paul ‘horrific’ – Politico
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“We don’t have enough laws against drugs?” “No,” Morris replied. “We should drug test every high school student. We should drug test everybody that gets a student loan. Anybody that’s using drugs should not get a government student loan.

DRUG ADDICTION AND REHAB – MEXICO
Rehab: A Public Nightmare in Tijuana – San Diego Reader ‎

Right before they ask for a donation, they mention the benefits of drug rehabilitation. Most of them are young men, but it is possible to spot women as well. They usually sell chocolate, lollypops, canned sodas, water, and even incense.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Drug users leaving treatment centers in Illinois, service providers say – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • Social service providers say drug addicts are walking out of detox centers around Illinois this week, upon learning that the state government is eliminating funding for substance abuse treatment services, in a move expected to save $53 million.

HEROIN – UK
Patsy Palmer: ‘I’m glad I turned down heroin’ – What’s On TV ‎

In an interview due to air on ITV1 in the next few weeks, Patsy told how she was offered heroin once but refused as she feared she might end up like her drug-addict brother. According to The Sun, Patsy said: “I was offered heroin once, I remember it well.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
McMinn Co Sheriff Challenges Retailers Not to Sell Main Component in Meth – WDEF News 12

Wolfenden is on the front line in the war against methamphetamine. The pharmacist already keeps over the counter drugs with pseudoephedrine, a chief component in meth, behind the counter at his Cleveland and Athens stores. But now Sheriff Joe Guy wants to take it a step further.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Mother of children who died in fire denied bond – Atlanta Journal Constitution‎

Neibi Brito, 22, whose children died in what police suspect was a fire caused by chemicals used in methamphetamine production, is being held without bond, pending a preliminary hearing this Wednesday.

ECSTASY – CANADA
Candy-shaped drugs unsafe: RCMP – CBC ‎

Police are worried teenagers are being duped into believing the illegal drug ecstasy is not dangerous. RCMP Cpl. Steve Conohan said traffickers are selling ecstasy pills that look like valentine’s candies to suggest they are harmless.

ECSTASY – USA
The puzzling controversy over an Ecstasy fact card – Los Angeles Times‎

As a physician who has researched and written extensively about MDMA, I took a keen interest in the Ecstasy fact card controversy developing in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health is taking quite a bit of heat …

ALCOHOL – USA
Ala. bans drinks that combine alcohol and caffeine – Bloomberg ‎

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has banned the sale in Alabama of canned beer-like drinks that combine caffeine and alcohol. This includes the drink Four Loko, which is popular on some college campuses.