Drug News

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.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT – USA
Report shows substance treatment is a money saver – KHQ Right Now

Research by Washington State University’s Public Policy Center shows for every $1 spent on treatment costs, Idaho saves $1.38 on criminal justice costs. Idaho Office of Drug Policy program manager Sharon Burke told state budget writers Monday that …

DRUG LAWS – USA
Kentucky House committee approves changes to drug penalties – Lexington Herald Leader

It would reduce penalties for drug possession — often to misdemeanors — and allow courts to send minor offenders to addiction treatment and place them on an appropriate level of community supervision. Simply locking up everyone convicted for drug …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Will Rehab Ruin El DeBarge Music Comeback? – The Stir ‎

He has been arrested on three occasions for drug possession and served almost two years in prison from 2008 to 2009. The struggle of addiction doesn’t ever go away, but if he’s still using, then he is smart to get treatment before putting himself out there on tour.

DRUG COURT – CANADA
Safe jails, safer streets – Calgary Herald ‎

One need only look at the cost effectiveness of drug treatment courts, where addicts agree to monitoring and treatment as an alternative to jail time. Studies have shown that drug courts save the health and criminal justice systems $4 for every $1.

DRUG COURT – USA
Local Drug Court earns state certification – The Tennessean ‎

“The drug court program is an alternative to incarceration and integrates chemical dependency treatment and community resources with the criminal justice system.” Judge Robert E. Burch presides over Drug Court each Thursday night to review …

MARIJUANA/ALCOHOL – USA
If marijuana is too dangerous, what about alcohol? – Baltimore Sun ‎

Did it ever occur to Mr. Gimbel that alcohol abuse also causes psychosis? Is he ignorant of the damage done to individuals and society from alcohol every year? And I’m not just referring to traffic accidents and deaths from drunk driving. …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
DC Prosecutors Won’t Use Breath Test Results – W*USA 9 ‎

Last year, DC police revealed problems with their breath testing equipment that sometimes resulted in the machines showing people with higher blood-alcohol concentrations than they actually had. Acting Attorney General Irvin Nathan said Tuesday that …

ALCOHOL TREATMENT – USA
Recovery Now TV Recommends Early Alcoholism Recovery Treatment for Successful Long-Term Recovery in Teens – Benzinga

It also shows how important it is for parents to get alcoholism recovery treatment for their teens early on so that they can learn how to live their life without alcohol abuse. Recovery Now TV has established some guidelines for talking to teens about the dangers of abusing alcohol.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Road to OxyContin Addiction – Opposing Views‎

Narconon Trois-Rivieres helped Cliff to end his life of OxyContin addiction by providing holistic treatment which did not involve the use of other drugs. Others are not so fortunate. There are many rehab centers which substitute one drug for another …

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
Bills aim to cut prison costs, improve drug treatment – Louisville Courier-Journal‎

After months of study, the General Assembly will begin considering proposals next week aimed at reducing Kentucky’s soaring prison population and thereby curbing costs through such things as better drug treatment and alternatives to incarceration.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – WORLDWIDE
WHO: Alcohol Abuse Kills 2.5 Million People Each Year – VOANEWS.com

The World Health Organization is calling for action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, which kills 2.5 million people every year.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – USA
NASCAR Needs Ounce of Prevention in Substance Abuse Policy – SpeedwayMedia.com‎

They are also stunned when they learn of the amount of alcohol that it takes for their particular body type to be considered legally and functionally impaired. NASCAR must consider being more proactive when it comes to prevention of substance abuse in …

PARTY DRUGS – USA
Husband Slips Ecstasy Into Wife’s Dinner – Cleveland Scene Weekly ‎

Who knows what would drive a man to slip some Ecstasy into his wife’s food. Maybe he thought she’d be more fun high. Maybe he thought it would kick up her sex drive. Maybe he wanted to have a dance party later in the night. …

HEROIN – USA
Heroin overdoses soar in Boston – Boston Herald‎

An apparent spike in heroin overdoses in the Hub has health officials deploying resources to keep the number from rising higher. Heroin overdoses have killed five people in Boston so far this year, said Rita Nieves, Substance Abuse

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Jefferson County sheriff: Several children taken from meth lab home – KMOV.com ‎

The Jefferson County sheriff’s department discovered a meth lab inside a home early Tuesday morning. Residents called the authorities after smelling a strange odor coming from a home on Meadow Drive at Jarvis Road in Joachim, Missouri.

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
Treatment not yet a focus of drug task force – Chillicothe Gazette‎

Ted Strickland would have not seen in the task force’s initial report: drug rehab. When Strickland created the task force in April, he instructed it to …

DRUG REHAB – USA
State moving more money out of inmate rehab programs – California Watch

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation quietly transferred millions of dollars out of beleaguered rehabilitation programs last year to cover shortfalls in other areas like prison security.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
Study: Former NFL Players Are Popping Painkillers and Are in ‘Poor Health’ – TIME

A new study commissioned by ESPN and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that retired NFL players are suffering a lot of pain.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Cutbacks in prescription drug enforcement will cost lives – Tbo.com

Although Florida has seen a steady decline in illegal drug use over the past few years, we continue to face a growing problem with prescription drug abuse …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Solana Beach talk sheds light on the prescription drug abuse gripping San Diego County – Del Mar Times‎

“A big reason for that is we’re seeing a whole new generation of drug addicts who see pills as a cure-all,” he said. “Think about it: When you turn on the TV today, every other commercial is for some magic pill.”

ALCOHOL ABUSE – UK
Alcohol Abuse: Middle-Class Women Are ‘New Bingers’ – Express.co.uk

The shocking figures show the middle-classes are fuelling the country’s alcohol crisis, while most of the rest of the nation cut back. …

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Law professionals, students at risk of substance abuse – UI The Daily Iowan

Tindal spoke before a group of University of Iowa law students and faculty members Thursday on the topic of substance abuse among legal professionals and …

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Not guilty plea in CA meth-laced breastmilk death – Washington Post

A Northern California woman has pleaded not guilty to killing her 6-week-old baby by feeding him methamphetamine-laced breast milk.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
Some resolutions for Big Country residents may include rehab – Abilene Reporter-News‎

Upper middle class abusers, for example, may be more prone to prescription drug abuse than certain others because they tend to have access to physicians and …

DRUG REHAB – USA
Repeat burglar released from jail into drug rehab – Maui News
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A Kihei man convicted of a half-dozen break-ins at businesses last year will be released from jail to enter a 2-year drug rehabilitation program. …

SALVIA DIVINORUM – USA
Shooting Suspect Had Been Known to Use Potent, and Legal, Hallucinogen – New York Times

(Some researchers have said the herb holds promise for developing new medicine to control pain and treat drug addiction.) Smoked, the effect is shorter and …

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
Medical community grapples with prescription drug abuse epidemic – Charleston Gazette

This is the second in a four-part series examining prescription drug abuse in West Virginia. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. …

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
ER Visits Rise For Prescription Drug Abuse – RTT News

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy, says: “Prescription drug abuse is our Nation’s fastest-growing drug problem, with shocking …

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
Former WWE Star Launches Site For Drug Abuse Awareness – Wrestlezone

Former WWE star Val Venis, real name Sean Morley, has opened a new drug abuse awareness website called ScriptDanger.com. The site is intended to raise awareness to the dangers of abusing prescription drugs.

PARTY DRUGS – UK
Fears party drugs are damaging mental health – St. Helens Star
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The deterioration in some teenage patients’ mental state is believed to be linked to their use of drugs such as mephedrone – more commonly known as meow …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
New Efforts In Dane County To Confront Alcohol Abuse In New Year – WMTV

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today work she’s leading to reduce the harms of alcohol abuse among middle school students will expand into …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Narconon Graduate Speaks Out About His OxyContin Addiction – Benzinga ‎

Trey, a graduate of the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehab program speaks out about his devastating addiction to OxyContin and how Narconon helped him regain …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Ted Williams Enters Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Report Claims – Fox News

Ted Williams, the “golden-voiced” homeless man who became a media darling, is entering rehab for drug and alcohol abuse, People magazine reported Wednesday.

DRUG REHAB – KENYA
Free medicare for 10,000 addicts at the coast – Capital FM ‎

Ten thousand drug addicts at the Coast Province will for the next three months get free medical treatment in public …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Experts give tips to prevent youths from using drugs – The Salem News‎

“Drug addiction really knocks down all barriers.” Aside from finding drugs, paraphernalia, or your child telling you, there’s no perfect science for figuring out if your kid has a problem. But …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Police say Maine men robbed Domino’s Pizza to support drug habit – Seacoastonline.com‎

Police say prescription drug addiction is at the core of recent indictments of four local men in connection with a robbery at Domino’s Pizza.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Utah: Want to quit drugs? Get rid of the cigs, too. – Salt Lake Tribune ‎

“It’s all addiction,” the mother of three young children said. “And when you’re in recovery, you have to continually work on that recovery. Any addiction can set you back.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Brett Favre’s sister arrested in Miss. meth bust – Washington Post ‎

Karl says Brandi Favre was among five people arrested Wednesday in the bust and was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and generating hazardous …

ECSTASY – USA
More than 2000 ecstasy pills disguised as candy recovered in Bexar County – KENS 5 TV

Narcotic officers recovered over 2000 ecstasy pills, otherwise known as the “love drug.” The investigation all started with a suspicious package. …

DRUG REHAB – USA
Saving lives, and souls, his way: Unconventional minister helps addicts, but stirs controversy – News & Observer

The ministry runs food distributions for the poor, a drug rehab program and transitional housing in Elgin and St. Charles. HELPS gets no government funding …

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
Serial rehab-goer Lindsay Lohan has been released and she’s already back on the roads – Daily Telegraph

Despite the fact that LiLo’s recent spates of jail and drug rehabilitation were down to various driving offences, the Californian powers-that-be have once …

ALCOHOL TREATMENT – UK
Pharmacists trained to recognize alcoholism – Get Bracknell

“I am delighted that Bracknell Forest Council’s drug and alcohol action team is once again providing innovative solutions to alcohol treatment and together …

ALCOHOL TREATMENT – USE
Tax repeal dries up alcohol treatment dollars – Cape Cod Times

Now that it’s been removed, and with the state possibly facing a $2 billion deficit, alcohol-abuse treatment advocates are bracing for a crisis, …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Hawaii hands in half ton of prescription drugs – NECN

Hawaii residents have turned in more than half a ton of prescription drugs in response to program encouraging people to hand in unused, …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription Drug use Doubles in Teens and Young Adults – eMaxHealth

Prescription drug use has doubled among teens and young adults since 1994, found in a new analysis. Researchers warn that higher use of prescription drugs …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Grants to help groups fight prescription abuse by teens – KOAM-TV

The money will be used in Jasper County to educate teens on prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. In Newton County, more programs will teach teens …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Students abusing pills to study should be expelled – Daily Sundial

Academic dishonesty is a greater reason for a student to get expelled, and taking these prescription drugs is academic dishonesty. Adderall and Ritalin give …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton Overcomes Drug Addiction To Win – Bleacher Report
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For Hamilton, it was a tremendous accomplishment in his career which was derailed by alcohol and drug abuse problems. “I would say a 99 percent chance that …

DRUG LEGALIZATION – PORTUGAL
Portugal’s Drug Experience: New Study Confirms Decriminalization – TIME
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After nearly a decade, according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Criminology: less teen drug use, fewer HIV infections, fewer AIDS cases and more drugs seized by law enforcement.

DRUG REHAB – U.K.
Study supports call to allow addicts to shape treatment – The Guardian
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Yet of 152 drug and alcohol addicts and recovering users surveyed by the RSA, half of those who had received treatment did not finish their programme and …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Energy drinks fuel teens’ alcohol abuse – NDTV

College students who routinely consume highly caffeinated energy drinks have a higher risk of becoming alcohol-dependent. Some students consume the …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – AUSTRALIA
Northern Territory Law Society calls for ban on alcohol … – News-Medical.net
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According to the Northern Territory Law Society, pubs, bars and breweries should be stopped from sponsoring sport. …

DRUG / ALCOHOL RECOVERY – USA
15-year-old who battled drugs, alcohol now helps other teens find – The Tennessean
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All of the 10 teens in the group have parents who battle drug and alcohol addictions. Most of them have at least one parent in prison. …

HEROIN – USA
Human Smugglers Switch To Cargo Of Heroin – KPHO Phoenix
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PHOENIX — Officials from US Customs and Border Protection and the Border Patrol said they are seeing an increased number of heroin shipments coming from …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Painkiller addiction is growing problem with serious consequences – The Spokesman Review

They now take more lives than heroin and cocaine combined. … a drug used to treat alcoholism, to treat addiction to heroin and Schedule II painkillers. …

DRUG REHAB – USA
NY school officials eye drug rehab at high school – Wall Street Journal

School officials on eastern Long Island are seeking state approval to allow a drug rehab clinic to operate inside a high school.

DRUG ABUSE – UK
Why Britain tops world drug use league – Guardian

Cocaine use in Britain permeates all classes from top to bottom. Price is a factor; it’s cheaper than ever. Experts talk of “child-friendly” prices, “beginners’ offers” and “group discounts”.

DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Kelly Osbourne Blames Fat Jibes For Drug Addiction – Contact Music

Kelly Osbourne is convinced cruel taunts about her weight drove her to drug addiction. The daughter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has long battled problems with prescription pills and after several stints in rehab, finally kicked her bad habits last year (09).

DRUG ABUSE – US
US Effects of prenatal drug exposure and early life infections on the brain – Medical Daily

New findings released today help identify the long-term impact of the prenatal environment and early parental care on the brain. Using animals as models, researchers help explain why early inflammation and a mother’s exposure to drugs such as nicotine and high doses of pain killers have lasting consequences for children — and even future generations.

HEROIN – IRELAND
Pensioner admits selling cocaine and heroin – RTE Ireland

A 73-year-old man, who became a crack and heroin dealer after his pension was cut, has been given a four-year suspended sentence. A 73-year-old man, …

ECSTASY – US
Cow Palace bans 2 concerts in wake of overdoses – San Francisco Chronicle

Two people who attended the Pop 2010 rave in May died of ecstasy overdoses and at least six others required treatment. Two people died of overdoses at a …

METHAMPHETAMINE – US
Mother sentenced for meth lab explosion that injured child – NFW Daily News

The mother of the baby who was badly burned in a meth lab explosion last year sought mercy in a Bay County courtroom Wednesday but received little.

ALCOHOL – US
It’s Alcohol Awareness Month – The Daily Reporter

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and American Society of Addiction Medicine define alcoholism as a “primary, chronic disease …