Drug News

DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Drug laws: 40 years on, only a complete change of approach will do – The Guardian

It is 40 years since Parliament passed the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is remarkable how utterly the system has failed. Drugs are available to anyone who really wants them.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG REHAB – USA
Patrick Kennedy discusses decision to leave Congress – Providence Journal

His public career was “not conducive” to his recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, the former Rhode Island congressman said in a television interview to be aired nationwide on Sunday.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE – USA
Poor economy, drug abuse driving crime, police say – Enterprise News

Fueled by the downturn in the economy and a rise in illegal use of prescription drugs, crime has surged locally and across New England, law enforcement officials say. “It’s the pills, and they inevitably lead to heroin abuse,” said East Bridgewater Sgt. Scott Allen. “It’s the No. 1 problem we’re facing with right now.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
California deputies find mom eating methamphetamine with 4-year old – Washington Post

Investigators say a Southern California mother with her 4-year-old daughter on her lap was eating methamphetamine when deputies arrived at her desert home.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Overall drug-related deaths drop in Oregon – East Oregonian

Statewide, the total number of drug-related deaths dropped in 2010 compared to the year before, but methamphetamine-related deaths rose dramatically.

ECSTASY – USA
Ecstasy drug dulls the brain, study reveals – Empowered News

Ecstasy drug use inflicts long-term and possibly permanent changes to brain tissue, a new study appearing in this month’s issue of Neuropsychopharmacology reveals.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Australia arrests 1600 ‘boozed-up idiots’ – AFP

The trans-Tasman “Operation Unite”, a two-day blitz on public alcohol abuse and related crime that ended Sunday, was the latest attempt to hammer home the …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
University joins group fighting high-risk alcohol use – The Daily Princetonian

The new initiative aims to lower the rate of binge drinking and frequency of destructive behavior that results from binge drinking on college campuses by bringing together teams of students, faculty and administrators from schools across the nation. Princeton is one of 13 colleges to have signed onto the project, with seven more expected to join before June.

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 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 …

COCAINE – USA
Man dies of ‘cocaine-induced excited delirium’ after allegedly taking drug … Mississippi Press

A 37-year-old man died Friday afternoon of what a coroner called “cocaine-induced excited delirium” after he fought for 30 minutes with …

DRUG ADDICTION – AFGHANISTAN
Drug Addiction in Afghanistan – Demotix

He is a drug addict and started narcotics ten years ago, and until now he collects materiel from the garbage to then sell on to the market. …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Local burglary arrests linked to drug addiction – Winchester News Gazette

Police say the burglaries were likely driven by drug addiction. Joshua Nathan Lewis, 31, of Winchester, is charged with burglary, theft, possession of …

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT – USA
A cheerful day in Drug Court – Ukiah Daily Journal

What “this program” is, is an integration of alcohol and other drug-treatment services, with justice system processing. Put simply, parents who abuse or neglect their children because they are otherwise engaged – off getting high – lose their rights to be parents.

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
Pima County gets drug treatment grant – NECN

Pima County plans to launch a new drug treatment program designed to be an alternative to state prison. County Attorney Barbara LaWall says the county has a new federal grant worth more than $1 million to pay for the program.

HEROIN – COLUMBIA
Colombia Busts Heroin Ring – Latin American Herald Tribune

Colombian drug enforcement agents worked with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to dismantle a ring that smuggled heroin into the United …

METHAMPHETAMINE – NZ
Key doubts drug utensil ban will work – TVNZ

Its main purpose is to make medicines which use methamphetamine precursors ephedrine and pseudoephedrine available only on prescription, …

COCAINE – USA
Cocaine Substitute ‘Ivory Wave’ For Sale At Area Stores – FOX2now.com

He called it “ten times stronger than cocaine.” Now one woman said she found her daughter hallucinating and out of control after snorting it. …

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.