Drug News

Opium – India
India expresses concern over opium cultivation in neighbouring countries – Thaindian News

Vienna (Austria), Mar 12(ANI): India has expressed concern that more than 90 percent of the world’s opium production is taking place in its neighbourhood.

Border Control – Mexico & USA
U.S. Customs: Mexican cartels corrupt border agents – Associated Press

McALLEN — Mexican drug cartels are infiltrating federal law enforcement agencies along the southwest border and those charged with weeding them out say they don’t have the money to catch all the corrupt agents, homeland security officials told a U.S. Senate panel Thursday.

Meth Lab Bust – California
Pleasanton brothers ran meth lab, cops say – San Francisco Chronicle

Two brothers were arrested on suspicion of operating a methamphetamine lab hidden in a Pleasanton home, police said Thursday.

Drug Court Sentencing – Oregon
Ore. meth kingpins get more than decade in prison – StatesmanJournal.com

SALEM, Ore. — Two leaders of a Mexico-based methamphetamine ring that operated in Oregon and Washington state have been sentenced to more than a decade in prison.

Drunk Driving – Nebraska
Police: Man Drunk At DUI Sentencing – KETV.com

PAPILLION, Neb. — Authorities said a drunken driver showed up for his sentencing hearing drunk again.

Pre-Teen Inhalant Abuse – USA
12 Year Olds More Likely To Use Potentially Deadly Inhalants Than Cigarettes Or Marijuana – Medical News TODAY

More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with the 18th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week.

Rohypnol – Colorado
Reports of Blackouts Believed Caused by ‘Date Rape’ Drugs Boom in Aspen – abc NEWS

A young man who awoke disoriented in a movie theater showing “Avatar” 10 miles from where he had been drinking with friends is one of at least 11 people from the tony ski town of Aspen, Colo., who claimed that someone surreptitiously slipped drugs into their drinks, police say.

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Prevention – Massachusetts
Kitty Dukakis joins panel addressing students about drug abuse – boston.com

Fifty six years after she graduated from Brookline High School, former Massachusetts First Lady Kitty Dukakis returned Thursday to discuss her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction before an audience of current students and parents.

Teen Drug & Alcohol Abuse – North Carolina
Teen drug & alcohol abuse up in NC; first time in decade – WWAY NewsChannel 3

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America/MetLife Foundation Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) shows the first reversal in the consistent decline of teen drug and alcohol abuse since 1998.

Cocaine – Rhode Island
3 Providence, RI, police officers arrested on drug charges, along with 3 other men – Associated Press

SCITUATE, R.I. (AP) — Three Providence police officers, including a narcotics detective and a school resource officer, were arrested Thursday on charges that they helped with a cocaine-dealing operation.

Drunk Driving – New Jersey
Mount Olive Municipal Court: Quadruple drunk limit for driver – Mount Olive Chronicle

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. – In-patient rehab, jail time, more than $1,000 in fines and a 10 year license suspension were the penalties for a Woodbridge man who admitted in court on Monday, Feb. 22, that he drove while four times over the limit for legal intoxication.

Drunken Gambling Lawsuit – Indiana
Ky. gambler sues casino for drunken losses – UPI.com

PAOLI, Ind., March 4 (UPI) — A Kentucky businessman has filed a lawsuit against an Indiana casino for loaning him $75,000 — which he lost — while he was drunk, court records showed.

“Spice” – World News
More Bans on “Spice” – Drug Addiction Treatment

Spice, a product which has been portrayed as a natural herbal mix of substances such as vanilla and Baybean, is being banned more and more by various groups and agencies. Spice actually contains a type of synthetic cannabinoid. It has been legally marketed as a harmless product – a “legal high”. It is sold under various names including K2, Spice Diamond, Spice Gold and Spice Silver.

Meth – USA
Meth Mouth Can Signal Addiction to Dentists – About.com: Alcoholism

When otherwise healthy young people show up at the dentist with severe oral health problems, it should signal to the dentist that the patient may be addicted to methamphetamine. Patients who exhibit symptoms of “meth mouth” are more likely to be injection drug users, according to a new study.

Drug & Alcohol Bust – India
Holi haul! 2,000 held with illicit liquor, drugs – Thaindian News

Lucknow, March 2 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Police had a busy day ahead of Holi as they made a huge haul of illicit liquor, hashish, marijuana and other intoxicants and arrested as many as 2,055 people in a state-wide haul, officials said Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal told reporters here Tuesday evening: “we have seized as much as 27,253 litres of illicit liquor from some 250 hooch brewing units during the state-wide 24-hour campaign launched by us between February 27 and 28.”

Heroin – USA
Buffalo man sentenced for operating a heroin trafficking ring – Thaindian News

A Buffalo, New York man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release for operating a heroin distribution ring, prosecutors announced on Monday.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Teen and Pre-Teen Prescription Drug Abuse - The Latest Dope – Ezine @rticles

There is a new drug pusher in town. He does not hang out down the alley or on the street corner. And it is not heroin or crack this time. The drugs are what most people would call medicines and more teens abuse them than of all types of illicit drugs combined, excepting only marijuana.

Drug & Alcohol Abuse By Teens – USA
U.S. teen alcohol, drug abuse on upswing – UPI.com

NEW YORK, March 2 (UPI) — The number of U.S. teens who say they used alcohol or drugs rose in 2009 compared with 2008, a survey indicates.

Drug Trafficking – USA
Michael Douglas In ‘Vanity Fair’: I Put Career Over Fathering Cameron – The Huffington Post

Michael Douglas covers the new Vanity Fair and inside he opens up about his son Cameron, who faces at least ten years in prison for trafficking meth, and trying to get fatherhood right the second time around with his family with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Marijuana – USA
AP IMPACT: Drug Gangs Taking Over US Public Lands – abcNEWS/U.S.

Not far from Yosemite’s waterfalls and in the middle of California’s redwood forests, Mexican drug gangs are quietly commandeering U.S. public land to grow millions of marijuana plants and using smuggled immigrants to cultivate them.

Drug Overdose – USA
Three Cave Creek girls sent to hospital for overdose – azcentral.com

Three middle-school girls in Cave Creek were transported to a hospital Friday afternoon, after they apparently overdosed on Tylenol cold medicine while at school, according to Deputy Chief Frank Salomon of the Phoenix Fire Department.

Drunk Driving – Australia
90-year-old loses licence for speeding, drunk driving – Thaindian News

Melbourne, Feb 28 (IANS) A 90-year-old man lost his driving licence in Australia’s Victoria state after he was clocked over-speeding and detected with double the alcohol limit, police said.

Meth – USA
Great-grandmother gets 5 years on meth charges – The Associated Press

A Northern California great-grandmother has been sentenced to prison after being convicted on methamphetamine charges.

Heroin – USA
Abington Heights drug policy working, officials say, but heroin problem remains – thetimes-tribune.com

Two years after Abington Heights School District officials began responding to a growing heroin problem, statistics show a slight drop in the number of students in trouble over drug and alcohol abuse.

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.

Marijuana – USA
(Video) Seniors & Pot: Marijuana For Pain – The Post Chronicle

The aging of the baby boom generation is resulting in a dramatic increase in levels of illicit drug use among adults 50 and older, a U.S. officials said.

Drug & Alcohol Abuse – USA
Lindsay Lohan blames dad for her cocaine use – The Money Times

Troubled Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan has hit headlines again, this time talking candidly about her history of cocaine use as well as her three rehab visits and her arrest for drunk driving twice.

Methamphetamine Addiction – South Africa
‘I can see my son is ready to kill’ – iol.co.za

The recent murders of at least three adults, allegedly by tik addict relatives in Cape Town townships, have parents living in fear.

Methamphetamine Production Halted – Guatemala
160,000 illegal drug tablets seized in Guatemala – Thaindian News

Guatemala City, Feb 23 (IANS/EFE) Guatemalan drug enforcement agents seized some 160,000 pseudoephedrine tablets in a warehouse at the capital’s La Aurora International Airport, but no arrests were made, the police said. The tablets were found at a warehouse belonging to Conbex, a company that imports and exports a variety of products.

Alcohol – UK
Drunk man ’straddled aeroplane’ – BBC News

Two drunk men on a work night out sparked a terror alert after they broke into an airport and tampered with the controls in the cockpit of a plane.

Alcohol – Russia
Russian ex-police chief jailed for life – the moscow news

A purge in the top ranks of the Interior Ministry and an unprecedented life sentence for a police major who killed two people on a drunk shooting spree has raised the stakes in a controversial anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Dmitry Medvedev.

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.