Drug News

DRUG REHAB – USA
Rethinking addiction: Expanding treatment isn’t enough – Baltimore Sun

Each additional life saved from addiction is a tremendous victory, both for the individual and the community. But it is not enough. Recent medical advances and greater access to care have helped many addicts reclaim their lives, but the underlying environmental and social causes of substance abuse remain largely unchanged

DRUG ADDICTION – CANADA
Drug prohibition fuels crime, hurts society – Victoria Times Colonist

Drug prohibition is the true cause of much of the social and personal damage that has historically been attributed to drug use. It is prohibition that makes illegal drugs expensive, while giving criminals a monopoly over their supply.

HEROIN – USA
Grieving family seeks to prevent heroin deaths – Hometownlife.com

They contacted the Livonia Observer to tell the story of their son’s drug use and eventual heroin addiction, which they said led to his taking his own life May 24 at age 22. “He was a good kid, but the drugs made him a totally different. He couldn’t even think straight.”

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – USA
White House Drug-Control Strategy Focuses on College Students – The Chronicle of Higher Education

The Obama administration’s 2011 National Drug Control Strategy, a report released today, for the first time includes a focus on college students for substance-abuse prevention efforts. “Drug addiction is a disease that too often begins—and can be prevented—on campus.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
A 3-point plan to battle prescription drug abuse – Albany Times Union

Chuck Schumer has proposed a three-pronged attack on the rising abuse of prescription drugs: doctor training, law enforcement and information exchange. “I remember back in the ’80s and ’90s when crack began to rear its head and we didn’t do enough.”

HEROIN – USA
Addiction experts defend drug for heroin addicts – KOB.com

KOB Eyewitness news 4 reported about a spike in abuse of a drug used to treat heroin addiction. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s detectives said it is a new trend, but many viewers responded with skepticism. KOB decided to take a closer look at this drug.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription-Drug Abuse Is Focus of U.S. Drug-Control Strategy – Bloomberg

According to a fact sheet accompanying the report, cocaine abuse has fallen 46 percent over the last five years among young adults aged 18 to 25. Prescription drug abuse hasn’t seen the same decline. “We’re seeing more initiation for drug use by young people through the medicine cabinet than through marijuana.”

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alcopops tax cuts youth grog abuse, ‘but community-wide reform needed’ – Cowra Community News

The alcopops tax has worked to reduce drinking by young people but broader changes and a comprehensive approach, including taxation reform, are needed to tackle alcohol abuse across the wider community.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – USA
Sentencing changes in some states at a glance – Seattle Post Intelligencer

Two bipartisan measures are pending that would repeal minimum mandatory sentences for drug offenses and nonviolent crimes, and increase substance abuse treatment for inmates. Conservative groups say the legislation could save Florida $ millions.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Bill would send drug bust money to treatment programs – Bloomington Pantagraph
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SPRINGFIELD — County prosecutors would be able to dedicate money seized during drug busts to local substance abuse treatment centers under a proposal approved Thursday by the Illinois House. State’s attorneys get a percentage of money or property.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Local School Districts Get Grant to Fight Drug & Alcohol Use – KAALtv.com
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Officials say it’s a drug and alcohol abuse among teens is growing problem in our area. Now, the Minnesota Department of Human Services is putting its money where its mouth is, offering up a one-million-dollar grant to help Southeast Minnesota schools put a stop to the trend.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Price per Head: Jets QB Ainge tries to recover from drug abuse – Bookmakersinc.co.uk ‎

The New York Post reported that Erik Ainge, quarterback, who was drafted in 2008 by the New York Jets as a very talented project, appears to have completely jeopardized his potential in the NFL, as he detailed his drug and alcohol use.

ALCOHOL – USA
NY Cracks Down on ‘Alcopop’ Abuse – Food Product Design‎

Chairman of the Senate Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee unveiled an aggressive plan to restrict minors’ access to high-alcohol malted beverages or “alcopops” similar to Four Loko that have been deemed unsafe by the US Food and Drug Administration.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Meth Labs Growing Problem in Acadiana – KATC Lafayette News
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Narcotics agents arrested one man in connection with a shake and bake methamphetamine operation in Carencro Friday, after finding by-products in the 600 block of Benoit Road. Agents said they’ve seen a significant increase in meth labs just this year.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Georgia House Passes Prescription Drug Abuse Legislation – Rome News Wire
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The Georgia House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 36 with a vote of 117 to 45 on Thursday, showing tremendous bipartisan support for the measure that would help doctors and pharmacists identify prescription drug abusers.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Epidemic of pain-pill abuse continues unabated – The Seattle Times
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Clusky first tried OxyContin at age 17 with his school buddies, shortly after the high-powered narcotic painkiller went on the market. He was an occasional user and seller until about age 21, when he became fully addicted.