Drug News

Drug Abuse – Afghanistan
UN survey finds ‘major drug abuse’ in Afghanistan – Thaindian News

Kabul, June 21 (DPA) The number of opium and heroin users in Afghanistan has risen 75 percent in the past five years, as total users of illegal drugs reached one million, a UN survey released Monday found.

Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Risky behavior – htrnews.com

One in five high school students in the United States has taken a prescription medication that was not prescribed for them, a new survey shows.

Meth Lab – Ohio
Men accused of running meth lab at Ohio rest stop – Ohio.com / Associated Press

MONROE, OHIO: Ohio authorities have arrested two Tennessee brothers they say ran a methamphetamine lab out of a stolen car at a highway rest stop.

Alcohol Rehab – USA Actor
Chris Klein heads to Utah rehab – UPI.com

LOS ANGELES, June 21 (UPI) — Chris Klein’s publicist says the actor is seeking treatment for alcohol addiction at Utah’s Cirque Lodge after his second DUI arrest.

Adderall Abuse – USA
Adderall: The Most Abused Prescription Drug in America. – The Huffington Post

Adderall is abused mostly by college students and young adults. Estimates are that somewhere between 20-30 percent of college students regularly abuse Adderall.

Overdose Death – New York
Koppel’s Son Died From Overdose of Drugs, Alcohol – abc NEWS / Entertainment

NYC medical examiner: Ted Koppel’s son died from overdose of heroin, coke, Valium, alcohol

Prescription Drug Disposal – Ohio
Unused medication part of opiate abuse problem – NewarkAdvocate.com

The simplest way to cut supply is as simple as properly disposing of unused medications, said presenters at Wednesday’s meeting of the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force.

Binge Drinking – Ireland
Ireland Has Highest Binge-Drinking Rate in Europe – Join Together

The latest research will do nothing to diminish the Irish reputation for heavy drinking: a survey from the European Commission (PDF) finds that Ireland has a binge-drinking rate three times higher than the rest of the European Union (EU).

Anti-Drug Conference – Texas
Narconon Drug Rehab and Prevention Directors Attend Worldwide Conference in Dallas, Texas – PR Web

A Narconon executive directors’ conference is never your normal corporate get-together. This year’s continued the tradition of fascinating news from exotic places. That Siberia and Egypt, Northern California and Taiwan report area drug abuse problems more in common than not manifests that there is still much to do to reduce alcohol and other drug addiction worldwide.

Marijuana – Illinois
3 charged after marijuana found on plane – ledger-enquirer.com

Authorities in Livingston County, Ill., have charged a man from Georgia and two Californians with drug trafficking after police found an estimated 340 pounds of marijuana on a private plane.

Heroin – Arizona
5 pounds of heroin seized at Arizona border – azcentral.com

WELLTON - Two women allegedly trying to smuggle five pounds of heroin through an Interstate 8 Border Patrol checkpoint Tuesday are in custody.

Alcohol Classes – Lindsay Lohan
LiLo on track with her alcohol education course, claims her lawyer – Thaindian News

London, May 6(ANI): Lindsay Lohan’s lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley has slammed an online report that suggests the star has been skipping her alcohol education classes.

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.

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.

OxyContin – USA
Ringleader of OxyContin drug-dealing crew sentenced to prison – Thaindian News

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) – The ringleader of an OxyContin drug-dealing crew on Wednesday was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

Meth – USA
Traffic stops yield 33 pounds of meth – azcentral.com

The Arizona Department of Public Safety seized approximately 33.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in two unrelated traffic stops last week, officials said.

Marijuana – Netherlands
Dutch Crack Down On Marijuana Tourism – GlobalPost

And what’s more, Dutch youth aren’t even interested in smoking weed.

Meth – USA
Ariz. woman allegedly tries to smuggle meth in milk – azcentral.com

NOGALES, Ariz. - Authorities say a Nogales woman has been arrested for trying to smuggle 1½ pounds of crystal meth in a can of powder milk across the Arizona border.

Drug Overdose – USA
Michael Jackson’s Doctor To Be Slapped With Manslaughter Charges – Thaindian News

Feb 3, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The death of pop legend Michael Jackson shocked the music lovers worldwide a few months back. The singer died under mysterious circumstances though it was said that he died of drug overdose.

Drug Rehab – USA
Rip Torn to go into rehab – Thaindian News

Connecticut, Feb 2 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Actor Rip Torn was arrested when the he tried to loot a Connecticut Bank, armed with a gun. He was apparently so drunk, that he believed that he was at home, and he even left his hat and boots by the door, according to the court statement by the actor. Later he was released, and now he is all set to enter rehab for his drinking problem.

PAINKILLER – USA
Painkiller overdose deaths gaining on traffic fatalities – Examiner

During a decade when doctors wrote more prescriptions for drugs like OxyContin and fentanyl and the diversion of those medications to the illegal market increased, the number of overdoses from opioid analgesics also spiked.

ADDICTION – USA
Take Rehab Seriously Or Run The Risk Of Never Beating Addiction – Trans World News

Sunset Malibu, an exclusive treatment center on the California coast, has long been a transformational force in the field of rehabilitation and recovery. Now, Sunset is announcing its redoubled efforts in the pursuit of sustainable holistic recovery.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Officials Say Prescription Drugs Are a Top Killer in Montana – KECI News

Montana’s top attorney says prescription drug abuse is such a serious problem, he’s set up a task force to combat it. Attorney General Steve Bullock says nearly 42 percent of drug cases prosecuted this year involved prescription drugs. That’s up from only seven percent in 2003.

HEROIN – USA
Smithtown grapples with rise in teenage heroin use – Newsday

Teens like DiBartolo have been snorting or shooting heroin in alarming numbers across Long Island in the last few years, its use hidden behind the suburban veil of afternoon ball games and bike riding.

DRUGS – USA
Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month Celebrated by Narconon Trois-Rivières – PR Web

Narconon Trois-Rivieres celebrated Recovery Month 2009 to raise awareness on the misery of drug and alcohol addiction which serves to educate the public on the benefits of the treatment options available throughout recovery centers.

DRUGS – USA
Lifelines: Red Ribbon Week — what it means – Argus Observer

They have seen the ads on television that show the junkie robbing people, the girl in the shower whose skin is rotting, the frying pan and the egg. We’ve all seen the ads so much the shock value seems to be wearing off. They are shocking and scary.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Report finds prescription drug use increased in nearly all Kentucky counties – WHAS News

The rate of prescriptions dispensed for controlled substances increased in 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties between 2005 and 2007, according to a recent report of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, and five Kentucky counties – Clinton, Magoffin, Whitley, Bell and Owsley – averaged more than four controlled substance prescriptions dispensed per resident.

HEROIN – CANADA
“Hillbilly heroin” a growing problem in B.C.’s small communities – The Canadian Press

Small communities in British Columbia largely untouched by the scourge of hard drugs are discovering a similar danger that some consider even tougher to tackle because it’s handed out with a doctor’s blessing.

PAINKILLER – USA
CDC Report Spells Out Dangers of Opioid Painkillers – Finding Dulcinea

A CDC report found that deaths caused by opioid analgesics such as methadone and OxyContin more than tripled between 1999 and 2006. The federal government is trying to cut down on the prescribed use of opioids, which began to be used widely as painkillers in the 1990s.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Program to Dispose of Expired Prescription Drugs – WYTV News

Expired prescription drugs can pose a danger to both people and the environment. Here’s your chance to clean out the medicine chest and get rid of old prescriptions safely.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
FDA issues dosage alert for Tamiflu prescriptions – News OK

The Food and Drug Administration is asking doctors and pharmacists to be alert for dosing errors with the oral version of the antiviral drug Tamiflu.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
New Prescription Drug Research Shows Bad Reaction in Children – WTVY News

New research shows more than half a million children have bad reactions from prescription drugs. Children younger than age five are most commonly affected. Penicillin and other prescription antibiotics are among drugs causing the most problems.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Use Can Lead To Relapse – Trans World News

Narconon also has a unique method of handling substance abuse on two levels. First through a detoxification program that removes drug resides from the body and reduces physical drug cravings to tackle and physical aspect. Then, Narconon uses an approach that raises the ability of the individual by giving them life skills to help keep them off drugs permanently.

HEROIN – UK
Heroin use a ‘national crisis’ - drugs group – RTE

Heroin use is now a national crisis, according to a group that provides assistance to drug users and the homeless.

HEROIN – USA
Meth Abuse Down - Heroin On the Rise – CBS News

Heroin killed seven people in Jefferson County in 2007, but the drug is being blamed for sixteen deaths so far in 2009.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office made a huge heroin bust earlier this year. Lt. Randy Christian says dealers are trafficking more heroin because of a nationwide clamp down on ephedrine, the raw material needed to make meth.

HEROIN – IRELAND
Heroin use a ‘national crisis’, says charity chief – Irish Times

HEROIN USE has become a national crisis, the chief executive of drug addiction and homelessness charity Merchants Quay Ireland has said.

COCAINE – USA
Tainted Cocaine Raises Health Risk Concerns – FOX News

At Minnesota Poison Control, they’re on the look out for a deadly side-effect you won’t find on any warning label. The problem is with powder and crack cocaine, laced with a drug called levamisole.

COCAINE – AUSTRALIA
Ice usage down, cocaine usage up: research – ABC News

New research has revealed there has been a dramatic fall in the number of people using the drug ice in Australia. But the drop has coincided with an increase in the use of cocaine. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has today released its 2009 statistics on illegal drugs.

ALCOHOL – USA
Campaign targets military teens’ alcohol, drug use – The Associated Press

Concerned about drug and alcohol use among teens in military families, three organizations are undertaking an online educational campaign on Wednesday to encourage parents and children to talk about substance abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Interlocks Are Gaining Traction – New York Times

Earlier this month, in response to a Wheels post on the increase in arrests among women driving under the influence, one reader wrote that in Australia drunken driving is addressed much more aggressively than in the United States.

ALCOHOL – USA
Commentary: Drinking age of 21 saves lives – CNN News

The national policy that set a minimum legal drinking age of 21 is being questioned by a group of 135 college and university presidents through an effort called the Amethyst Initiative.

DRUGS – USA
Drug addicts march for recovery – KXLY News

Millions of Americans are enslaved by their addiction to drugs, and this month may provide them with the motivation they need to recover.

ADDICTION – USA
Former Addicts Hold Rally To Celebrate Recovery – NY1 News

Recovering from any type of addiction is often a long road, but the participants in the second annual Recovery Rally on Saturday made great strides.

HEROIN – USA
Painkiller addicts turning to heroin when prescriptions run out – Bristol Press

Bristol Police Detective Sgt. Chris Lennon of the narcotics division, says heroin is the second most prevalent drug his unit runs into, after marijuana.

METH – USA
Wing Fest helps fight meth use – Redwood Times

This is a family friendly event to increase public awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine use and to assist agencies that provide medical and psychological help for members of our community that have been affected by this illegal and damaging drug.

ADDICTION – USA
Forum: Addiction plagues U.S. health – Traverse City Record-Eagle

All you have to do is read the newspaper to be reminded that many Americans suffer from the reality of an addiction every day. From the outside, addiction is not always evident in any given individual. Substance abuse is one of the most severe health and social problems facing our county.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Problems – NBC News

Prescription drugs are ruining lives, hurting our kids and leaving police without many options. Now a Reedsburg teenager is stepping in where adults have failed. Quite literally, these are poison pills. Prescription drugs, no longer needed, laying around and too often in the wrong hands.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Addict Recovers Through Narconon – Trans World News

Because of her addiction to pills, Tanya Mesa didn’t have much of a life. She lost her job, her physical health was deteriorating, and worst of all she lost the love and respect of her family.

HEROIN – USA
Elmhurst police, schools crack down on teen heroin use – Chicago Tribune

A couple hundred parents who attended a community forum at York Community High School in Elmhurst Sept. 10 learned that Elmhurst police and schools are cracking down on heroin use among teens after a student confessed late last school year to using the drug.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Reedsburg Teen Organizes Prescription Drug Disposal Program – WISC News

Scientists say that drinking water across the country contains traces of prescription drugs.
Now, one Reedsburg teenager is trying to do something about that alarming fact.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Disrupts Body Clock, Sleep, Study Demonstrates – Join Together

Alcohol use can disrupt the body’s natural clock and sleeping patterns for days after consumption ends, according to a new animal study.

ALCOHOL – USA
Russian Leader Set to Tackle Nation’s Drinking Problem – Join Together

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, who calls alcoholism a “national calamity,” plans to work with the nation’s parliament this fall to tackle the country’s drinking problem by proposing an increase in taxes, stricter labeling laws, and restrictions on where alcohol can be sold.

MARIJUANA – USA
Male Sexual Problems Caused by Marijuana Use, Study Says – Join Together

Men who smoke marijuana may have more problems achieving orgasm during sex than abstainers, according to a new Australian study.

DRUGS – USA
After Drug Rehab, Is Relapse A Part Of Recovery? – Press Release

While many schools of thought point to relapse rates of up to 60%, there is one drug treatment program that defies the odds when helping addicts recover from addiction.

ADDICTION – USA
Celebration to be held for those who have overcome addictions – South Carolina News

Coastal Recovery Center is planning a special event to increase awareness of addictions, treatment, and recovery in Myrtle Beach. According to a news release from Coastal Recovery Center, the event will celebrate people in recovery from addiction with their inspiring testimonies of their changed lives.

ADDICTION – USA
Addiction Recovery Celebration Scheduled for Durham – My NC

The Durham Center will team this month with Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Duke University Health System, Urban Ministries of Durham, El Centro Hispano and DurhamTRY to hold its fourth annual Recovery Celebration Block Party as part of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

METH – USA
Anti-meth ads seek to show addiction’s toll on Oklahomans – News OK

New anti-methamphetamine ads start this month and target Oklahoma and 15 other states, the White House drug czar said Tuesday.

ADDERALL – USA
Keep those pills in shape – Fierce Pharma Manufacturing

B arr Labs initiated a recall in mid-August for generic Adderall tablets that may contain too much of the active pharmaceutical ingredients dextroamphetamine and dl-amphetamine, posing a superpotency risk to users of the ADHD drug.

HEROIN – IRELAND
Use of heroin and cocaine still rising, report finds –Irish Times

Heroin and cocaine use continues to rise throughout Ireland, a new study by the Health Research Board shows.