Drug News

ALCOHOL/DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Amy Winehouse’s death: Rising numbers of people checking into rehab – Mirror.co.uk

Soaring numbers of patients have been checking into rehab following the death of Amy Winehouse. “One woman was sobbing saying she knew she needed help and that Amy’s death has brought it all home to her.”

ALCOHOL/DRUG REHAB – USA
Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller together again – HULIQ.com

Sheen and Mueller first broke up in 2009. Reports of drug problems and rehab seemed to fuel their split. Currently Sheen is helping Mueller get through rehab and states he is also getting clean.

HEROIN – USA
35 indicted for participating in major heroin-trafficking ring – WTKR Your NewsChannel 3

Thirty-five individuals have been indicted for participating in a heroin-trafficking organization that transported several kilograms of the narcotic from New York City into the Tidewater area. Each faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

ALCOHOL – USA
Books & booze: Can Iowa schools, students put end to tragedies? – DesMoinesRegister.com

No single intervention will solve the problem,” said Ralph Hingson of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “If they think just adopting one program is going to do this, it’s not going to happen.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Jerome Block Jr. admits to prescription drug addiction, but won’t resign – KOB.com

Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. says he fighting an addiction to prescription drugs.

ECSTASY – USA
‘Bath Salts’ Have Effects Similar to Meth, Ecstasy – Medscape

Mephedrone is sold as “bath salts” or as other innocuous products in an effort to sidestep drug laws, DEA Special Agent Gary Boggs tells WebMD. “In order to escape law enforcement scrutiny, products are labeled ‘not for human consumption,’ but they know full well it is intended for that.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Methamphetamine Abuse May Raise Parkinson’s Risk – U.S. News & World Report

People who abuse methamphetamine or other stimulants are at increased risk for Parkinson’s disease, a new study warns.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
SW Virginia drug abuse cast in workforce terms – Houston Chronicle

A coalition fighting prescription drug abuse in southwest Virginia is casting its battle in economic terms, saying substance abuse has made it more difficult for employers to hire workers. “What we’ve heard, time and time again from employers, is their frustration that so many people they are trying to hire are either unwilling to take, or unable to pass, a drug test.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
‘Pill-mill’ doctors responsible for much prescription-drug abuse – TC Palm
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How about a “zero tolerance” policy for the pill-mill doctors? Let’s levy a fine closer to $100,000 than $10,000, permanently revoke their medical license, and deliver a mandatory prison term for homicide. In the “war against drugs,” these doctors are the worst kind of war criminal.

BATH SALTS – USA
Bath salts: America’s newest drug addiction – Examiner.com

Synthetic drugs, being sold under the facade of “bath salts,” have quickly become a cause for alarm with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and federal authorities.

COCAINE – BRAZIL
Outrage: Rio Drug Dealers Sell Amy Winehouse Brand Cocaine‎ – Student Operated Press

Drug dealers in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro are packaging their product with pictures of Amy Winehouse in a bid to make the drug more attractive to younger users.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Campus Life 101: Staying Sober – Fox News

As a high school senior, Aaron Weir decided to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, not for any particular academic program but for the hospitality that school extends toward students in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. “I was 16 years old when I got clean and sober and I want to stay that way in college.”

HEROIN – USA
Heroin ‘lamp shades’ lead to arrest – Washington Post

Upon closer inspection, the officers noticed that the frames contained a “brown powdery substance” that tested positive for heroin. A lot of it.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Arrests won’t solve prescription drug problem, leaders say‎ – Charleston Gazette

“Law enforcement cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” Smithers said. “It’s way beyond that.” West Virginia has the nation’s highest rate of drug overdose deaths. More than 90 percent involve prescription drugs.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Teens take road to addiction early in life – Times Free Press

The road to teen addiction often begins when children are still young enough to climb into their parents’ laps. The majority of alcohol and drug abuse begins right before adulthood, Columbia researchers said, but small children who see their parents smoking, drinking or pill-popping are more likely to give it a whirl during their teenage years.

HEROIN – USA
Richland man charged in 3rd heroin-related death – The News Tribune

A 35-year-old alleged drug dealer now is charged with the deaths of three Tri-Citians who overdosed after using his heroin. In the newest case filed against Brian Haney Burt, the Richland man reportedly found the victim in a poor condition but panicked and left without getting help.

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 …

Heroin – India
Customs Department seizes six Kg heroin in Amritsar – Thaindian News

Amritsar, Apr 15 (ANI): The Customs Department seized six kilograms of heroin from courier service provider’s office in Amritsar.

Meth – USA
New meth recipe sidesteps state laws – Stateline.org

A new method of making methamphetamine — a highly addictive street drug that has caused law enforcement and public health problems from Oregon to Kentucky — is circumventing tough state laws that had been making headway against production of the drug.

Drug Seizure / Jail Sentencing – UK
Ten-year sentence for drug dealer – Carluke Gazette

A drug dealer has been jailed for ten years after he was caught following one of the largest seizures of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine recovered by police.

Drug Arrests – Michigan
Traffic stop on East Paterson Street in Kalamazoo leads to drug arrests – mlive.com

KALAMAZOO — A traffic stop for a vehicle that didn’t have a license plate ended with the arrest of two people on outstanding warrants and the seizure of heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana, police said.

Drug Use Suspected by US Star – UK
Whitney Houston’s poor Birmingham show strengthens drug rumours – Thaindian News

Whitney Houston’s recent concert in the U.K has strengthened rumours that she may be using drugs.

Drug Store Robbery – Oklahoma
Burglar falls through roof six times – 9NEWS

A burglar has gained notoriety for his clumsy efforts at robbing a pharmacy store in the US state of Oklahoma.

Crack – UK
Six arrested over crack cocaine finds – BBC News

Six people have been arrested following discoveries of crack cocaine in two areas of Aberdeen.

Cocaine – Scotland
Court appearance over £75,000 cocaine haul – NEWS.scotsman.com

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the discovery of £75,000 of cocaine.

Heroin Overdose – Michigan
Kalamazoo man pleads no contest in death of Amy Bousfield – KALAMAZOO NEWS

PORTAGE — Curtiss Odell Thompson pleaded no contest Friday for his role in the heroin overdose death of 18-year-old Amy Bousfield nearly two years ago.

Underage Drinking – Florida
Spring Break Teen Tragedy: How Safe Are Your Children? – abc GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Promising Teenage Football Player Dies After Intoxicated Fall from Hotel Balcony

Tainted Drugs – UK
Merseyside Police warning over dangerous drug batch – BBC News

Police have issued a warning after all three people experienced symptoms such as excessive confusion, agitation, fitting and nausea.

Drug Bust – Australia
Illicit drug haul in Newtown: children exposed to drug fumes – The Medical News

In a shocking report a Newtown, Sydney couple have been arrested and charged with exposing their young children to fumes while they were allegedly cooking drugs in their unit. The police raid also found illegal drugs like amphetamines, pseudoephedrine tablets, marijuana and syringes.

Drug Abuse – Young Adults
How To Launch A Nationwide Drug Menace – The Huffington Post

Last week, the media was filled with headlines like “Sniffing Trumps Weed for 12 Year Olds,” (CBS) and “Inhalant Abuse a Deadly Middle-School Concern,” (U.S. News and World Report/HealthDay). The stories came out of a Washington press conference touting news from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that inhalants are more popular with junior high kids than marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined.

Mephedrone – UK
Mum hits out at availability of legal drug ‘mephedrone’ after death of ‘fit and healthy’ teenage son – DailyRecord.co.uk

THE mother of a teenager who died after taking the “legal high” drug mephedrone today said it was “disgusting” it was so easily available.

Meth – Russia
Kindergarten drug bust – themoscownews

A convicted criminal working as a school electrician near Yekaterinburg was caught making drugs in the basement of the nursery school building.

Drug Abuse – USA
Ron Washington: I Used Amphetamines & Marijuana In Addition To Cocaine – The Huffington Post

SURPRISE, Ariz. — A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player.

Drunk Driving Simulator – Australia
Car simulator unveiled in Queensland – Thaindian News

Sydney, March 19 (ANI): Queensland’s University of Technology has unveiled a new driving simulator that can help reduce the road toll by providing data on how alcohol or sleep deprivation can affect driving skills.

Illegal Drug Bust – Michigan
Border officials seize $250K in drugs in Detroit – 9&10 News

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say they have seized more than $250,000 worth of illegal drugs within a week at the tunnel crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Drug Help – USA
Dallas Police Aim to Help, Not Jail, Prostitutes – Associated Press

It was nearly midnight in a cramped mobile courtroom in the back of an 18-wheeler, and a prostitute in a Tweety Bird shirt was apologizing to a judge for falling asleep during her hearing. She hadn’t slept for three days and was coming down from a crack high, she explained. The combination left her too impaired to make a choice that only Dallas offers prostitutes: Go to rehab or go to jail.

Drugs – USA
Man’s Video Game Addiction Gets Him Caught on Drug Charges – Drug Addiction Treatment

Two weeks ago, a man wanted on drug charges was caught through another addiction—playing the role-playing computer videogame “World of Warcraft.”

Cocaine – Spain
Cocaine found in banana boxes in Spanish supermarkets – Thaindian News

Police are trying to trace the origin of some 100 kg of cocaine hidden in boxes of bananas that were about to go on sale at several supermarkets in Madrid and two other cities in Spain.

Meth USA
Dispute Ends With Meth Arrest In Effingham County – Savannah Morning News

Deputies arrested 55-year-old Ricky Luke and charged him with manufacturing methamphetamine, unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine, simple battery, and cruelty to children in the third degree.

Opiates – USA
Opiate Addiction Symptoms – Detecting Drug Abuse in Someone You Care About – ezinearticles.com

Opiates are a group of drugs that are used medically to treat pain. This drug can have the potential to be highly abused by the people who are prescribed it…

Heroin – UK
Family stunned at son’s death – The Oxford Times

DEVASTATED mother Mandy Hussey yesterday spoke out about the evils of heroin after fearing the drug had killed her only son Leon.

Drug Overdose – USA
Autopsy Released On Springsteen’s Cousin – KCTV; Kansas City, MO

Medical Examiner Says Sullivan Died Of Acute Amphetamine, Heroin Intoxication

Drug Violence – Mexico
Drug Violence Overwhelms Tijuana – The Associated Press

This year was particularly tough for the already rough border city of Tijuana, besieged by drug violence and slammed by the economic downturn in the United States.

Drug Testing – USA
Workers May Lie About Drug Use, but Hair Doesn’t – The New York Times

…some job applicants may stop their drug use temporarily in anticipation of a test, or they may even find a way to cheat. The people in this category might face a new challenge: the hair test, a newer technology gaining acceptance among a small but growing number of employers.

Opium – Bankok
U.N. Says Opium Trade Is Expanding in Myanmar – The New York Times

BANGKOK — The United Nations warned on Monday that drug-control measures were “unraveling” in Myanmar, with opium farming in the country expanding for the third consecutive year.

Drug Prevention – USA
State receives $11M drug abuse grant – Rapid City Journal

PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Human Services recently received an $11 million federal grant to bolster the statewide effort to deal with substance-abuse issues.

Prescription Drugs – USA
Report: Prescription Drug Abuse Growing – WHIOTV.com

DAYTON, Ohio — A new National Institute of Drug Abuse report suggests teen abuse of prescription drugs is on the rise.