Drug News

Meth - Michigan
Deputies stop to help 26-year-old Paw Paw area man with car trouble, then arrest him on meth charges - mlive.com

PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP — Sheriff’s deputies trying to help a man with car trouble Wednesday in Van Buren County later arrested the man on drug charges, authorities said.

Drug War & Violence - Mexico
The Only Thing Drug Gangs and Cartels Fear Is Legalization - The Huffington Post

To many people, the “war on drugs” sounds like a metaphor, like the “war on poverty.” It is not. It is being fought with tanks and sub machine guns and hand grenades, funded in part by your taxes, and it has killed 28,000 people under the current Mexican President alone. The death-toll in Tijuana — one of the front-lines of this war — is now higher than in Baghdad. Yesterday, another pile of seventy mutilated corpses was found near San Fernando — an event that no longer shocks the country.

Marijuana - California
Marijuana legalization on the table in California - OneNewsNow

In an effort to head off the legalization of marijuana in California, a pro-family organization is releasing a video that documents the damage of marijuana use and informs Americans about the harmful effects that can be expected if the drug is legalized. In November, voters in The Golden State will be voting on Proposition 19 — the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010.

Prescription Drug Abuse - USA
Prescription Drug Abuse Soars Despite State Monitoring Programs - mediLexicon

Over the past 10 years, “prescription drug abuse has soared to new levels. A recent White House study found a 400 percent increase in abuse from 1998 to 2008.

Crack Cocaine - South Carolina
Former sheriff faces more drug charges - CarolinaLive.com

E.J. Melvin now faces an additional charge of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Melvin has pleaded not guilty to the new charges.

Drunk Driving - Arkansas
Mayor Donald ‘Buzzy’ Faulkner Loses Driving Privileges After Arrest - The Huffingtong Post

HARRISBURG, Ark. (AP) — The City Council has revoked Mayor Donald “Buzzy” Faulkner’s city- vehicle driving privileges after he was arrested last week on a drunken-driving charge as he drove a city-owned car.

Fatal Drug-Related Violence – Mexico
72 bodies found in northern Mexico – UPI.com

SAN FERNANDO, Mexico, Aug. 25 (UPI) — Mexican marines found 72 bodies in northern Mexico after a gunfight with a suspected drug cartel in which one marine and three suspects died, officials said.

Cocaine Overdoses – UK
Cocaine overdoses on the rise – Telegraph.co.uk

The number of people dying from cocaine overdoses have increased 15 per cent in just four years raising fresh concerns over the growing prevalence of the drug.

Out of Rehab – Lindsay Lohan
LiLo released from rehab – Thaindian News

New York, August 25(ANI): Lindsay Lohan has been released from substance abuse rehab.

Marijuana & Drug Trafficking – California
Marijuana plants worth $100 million seized on Calif. farm believed run by drug traffickers – WGNtv.com – Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Authorities say narcotics task force agents have seized an estimated 25,000 marijuana plants worth up to $100 million on a Southern California farm believed to be run by Mexican drug traffickers.

Alcohol Risks – USA Study
Risk For Certain Types Of Breast Cancer Increased By Alcohol Intake – Medical News TODAY

Alcohol increases the risk of lobular and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but not necessarily invasive ductal carcinomas, according to a study published online in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Drugs In Schools – USA
National Study Finds Jump in Drug Use in Public Middle and High Schools – Drug Addiction Treatment

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University released a new report this month, exposing the surge in gang- and drug-infected schools based on students’ responses to a national survey. An estimated 5.7 million public school students are believed to be exposed to school environments that are both gang- and drug-infected.

Meth & Cocaine Seizure – California
Millions of dollars worth of meth seized in Gilroy – TheCalifornian.com

GILROY, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they’ve kept millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine and cocaine from hitting the streets during a raid of home in Gilroy.

Heroin – Afghanistan
Afghan airline in-flight magazine presents country’s gory side to passengers – Thaindian News

London, Aug 20 (ANI): An Afghan airline, Safi Airways, has presented “interesting” facts about the problems in the country in its magazine, by featuring articles on Kabul heroin addicts, dog fighting and hotel security after suicide bombings, with headlines like “Live Entertainment in Kabul: Dog Fighting,” having caught the readers’ attention.

Marijuana – Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police shocked to find bears guarding marijuana grow-op – Thaindian News

Kelowna (British Columbia, Canada), Aug.20 (ANI): Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were recently taken aback when they raided a marijuana grow-op near the tiny town of Christina Lake, and found that it was guarded by a troop of black bears.

Binge Drinking – USA Study
Binge Drinking Increases Death Risk In Men With High Blood Pressure – Medical News TODAY

If you have high blood pressure, binge drinking may dramatically raise your risk of stroke or heart-related death, according to a South Korean study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Anna Nicole’s Drug Use – California
Larry Birkhead Describes Anna Nicole Smith’s Drug Use – The Huffington Post

LOS ANGELES — Larry Birkhead, the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, testified Thursday he saw her taking numerous prescription drugs but that she told him she was not an addict.

Morphine & Opium – India
Seven arrested with drugs worth Rs.1 crore – Thaindian News

Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 20 (IANS) Seven drug peddlers, who operated in various states, were arrested with morphine and opium worth Rs.1 crore in this Uttar Pradesh’s district Friday, police said.

Drug Driving – UK
Q&A: Tackling drug-driving – BBC NEWS UK

The government has announced plans to equip every police station in England, Wales and Scotland with the technology to test drivers for drugs more quickly and easily.

Prescription Drug Fraud Prevention – USA
Senator Seeks Deadline for Medicare to Prevent Prescription Drug Fraud – The Center For Public Integrity

Taxpayer-funded Medicare recently spent more than $1 billion on drug prescriptions missing a valid doctor identification number and a Senate Democrat is demanding that the government stop ignoring the problem and create a plan this month to fix it.

Deputy Arrested for Drug Possession – California
Kern deputy arrested on suspicion of drug charges – 2 NEWS KTVN RENO Associated Press

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - A Kern County deputy is facing drug charges after investigators say they found the 53-year-old Bakersfield resident keeping illegal drug paraphernalia and drugs without a prescription in his house.

Cocaine Seizure – US Coast Guard
US Coast Guard seizes ship with 3.5 tonnes cocaine – Thaindian News

Tegucigalpa, Aug 6 (IANS/EFE) A Honduran-flagged ship carrying 3.5 tonnes of cocaine was seized and five of its occupants were arrested by the US Coast Guard off the Honduran coast.

Ecstasy – California
LA Ecstasy Bust: Massive Ring Taken Down – The Huffington Post

LOS ANGELES — Federal officials say they’ve broken up a Southern California ring that sold millions of Ecstasy tablets.

Marijuana – Massachusetts
$20,000 in marijuana seized after traffic stop – Eagle-Tribune

HAVERHILL — What started as a routine traffic stop turned into the arrest of a man who had $20,000 worth of marijuana in his car and apartment, police said.

Addiction Leads to Murder – Tennessee
Kelley Cannon: From Life of Privilege to Life Behind Bars – abc NEWS / 20/20

Kelly and Jim Cannon: Nashville Marriage Marred by Addiction Ends in Murder

Children of Drug Addicts – Michigan
Michigan foster children describe struggles; ‘Most people don’t care about children,’ one says – mlive.com

KALAMAZOO — Her mother is a drug addict. Her father “wants to do his own thing.”

Marijuana – California
$1.7 Billion Worth Of Pot Seized By The Californian Police Officers – Thaindian News

July 30, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The police personnel in California have uttered that they have seized $1.7 billion worth of marijuana plants in the mountains of Sierra Nevada. The policemen have also incarcerated 97 individuals over the past three weeks on the suspicion of being connected to Mexican drug leagues. Most of the incarcerated individuals happen to be Mexican nationals.

Underage Drinking Prevention – USA
Senators Call On FDA To Rule On Alcoholic Energy Drinks – npr

It’s no surprise that people in their 20s are big consumers of these combo products. They look cool and fun. Up to 25 percent of college students seek out that buzz-chill mix, and they think it helps them stay up longer and drink more, researchers say.

Drug Abuse – USA Celebrity
Mike Tyson Talks Cocaine, Prostitutes And More – The Huffington Post

“I’d be sitting down and drinking and doing cocaine, talking to girls, doing anything. Everything,” said Tyson. “Then I make it home and I’m tripping out at home.”

Drug Cartel Leader Dead – Mexico
Mexico announces death of cartel leader – UPI.com

MEXICO CITY, July 30 (UPI) — Mexico announced a victory in its war on drug trafficking by confirming the death of “Nacho” Coronel, a leader of the notorious Sinaloa drug cartel.

Teen Substance Abuse – USA Survey
Girls’ Attitudes are Changing When it Comes to Drugs – Myhighplains.com

New survey results from the Partnership for a Drug Free America report that girls appear more inclined than ever to reach for drugs and booze to help them emotionally. Some girls say drugs “help you forget your troubles.” Researchers advise parents to be especially attentive to their daughters’ moods and worries.

Cocaine Trade Scheme – Russia
US and Russia uncover innovative cocaine trade scheme – Thaindian News

Moscow, July 27 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Russia’s top drug law enforcement officers have announced that they have uncovered a high profile cocaine trade scheme in Moscow. They announced that they uncovered the scheme with the help of United States officials.

Drug Testing – USA
Millennium Laboratories urges for increase in physician reimbursement for POC urine drug screening – THE MEDICAL NEWS

Millennium Laboratories, Inc., a national, research-based medication monitoring company specifically focused on clinicians who treat chronic pain, strongly advocated for an increase in physician reimbursement for point-of-care urine drug screening at the Annual Clinical Laboratory Public Meeting of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 22, 2010. As the only therapeutic drug monitoring company presenting, Millennium was continuing its advocacy campaign, launched in June of 2009, supporting fair reimbursement for point-of-care (POC) urine drug screen devices.

Heroin – Africa
Heroin Addicts in Africa Engage in Dangerous Blood-Sharing – Join Together

“Flashblooding,” the act of injecting one heroin addict’s blood into another to share a high or ward off withdrawal, is becoming increasingly common in some African cities, the New York Times reported July 12.

Drunk Driving – California
Fresno Greyhound Crash: Driver Involved In Fatal Bus Crash Was Drunk – The Huffington Post

FRESNO, Calif. — An 18-year-old woman driving an SUV that was struck by a Greyhound bus in a horrifying crash last week was under the influence of alcohol, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.

Synthetic Marijuana – USA Looking to Ban
American Association Of Poison Control Centers: Fake Marijuana Spurs More Than 750 Calls To U.S. Poison Centers This Year Alone – Medical News TODAY

Synthetic marijuana products being sold at gas stations, convenience stores and “head shops” have spurred more than 750 calls to U.S. poison centers this year alone, causing increased concern among doctors and clinicians as well as state lawmakers, who are quickly moving to outlaw such products.

Drug Bust – Maryland
Drugs Found In Car After Chase – wsbtv.com

FREDERICK, Md. — Frederick police have charged two Georgia men with numerous drug offenses after they fled a traffic stop.

Drug Trafficking Consequences – Iran
Four drug traffickers hanged in Iran – Thaindian News

Berlin, July 20 (DPA) Four convicted drug traffickers were hanged in Iran, news reports said Tuesday.

Jail Time – Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan handcuffed and sent to jail – Thaindian News

Los Angeles, July 20 (DPA) Lindsay Lohan’s repeated parole violations finally caught up with her Tuesday when the troubled young actress was handcuffed and sent to jail to serve a 90-day sentence. Lohan, 24, wore a plain black suit as she walked a gauntlet of fans and paparazzi on her way into the Los Angeles Superior Court to be remanded into custody.

Marijuana – California
Glendale police investigating home invasion, find marijuana – azcentral.com

Police are investigating after a woman told them three men attempted to force entry into her home early Sunday morning.

Cocaine – UK
Wholesale cocaine prices hit record levels – THE INDEPENDENT UK

Wholesale cocaine prices have reached record levels despite a huge drop in seizures of the drug, police said today.

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness – California
Local Prescription Drugs Awareness Coalition Aims to Become National Organization – DanvillePatch

The death of California High School graduate Joey Rovero from prescription drug abuse last December was a hard pill to swallow for family, friends and the community.

Drug Abuse – Florida Doctors
Doctors conflicted about reporting drug-abusing colleagues – Orlando Sentinel

Hypothetical situation: You’re a doctor and discover a colleague has a drug problem. Do you report him?

Marijuana – California
3 face drug charges after pot found in tanker car – MERCED SUN-STAR

LOS ANGELES — Three men whose arrests led to the discovery of hundreds of pounds of marijuana concealed in a railroad tanker car were charged Tuesday with drug possession.

Crack Cocaine – South Carolina
Guilty pleas for 3 charged with ex-SC sheriff – WIS10

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Three people have pleaded guilty to their roles in a drug conspiracy that authorities say includes a former South Carolina sheriff.

Prescription Drug-Related Suicide – USA Study
Drug-related ER visits involve suicide – UPI.com

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) — Almost 10 percent of drug-related U.S. emergency room visits involved teen suicide attempts — 72 percent by female teens, U.S. health officials say.

Heroin – Philadelphia
3 Philly officers face drug, corruption charges – wsvn.com

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Three Philadelphia police officers plotted with drug dealers and staged a traffic stop and drug seizure in a scheme to steal $15,000 worth of heroin from a supplier and sell the drug, federal authorities charged.

Dangerous Behavior – Canadian Students
Study Finds Foreign Homestay Students Exposed To Major Health Risks; Need Better Safety Net – Medical News TODAY

Foreign homestay students who come to Canada to attend high school without their parents are exposed to major health risks such as smoking, drug use and early sexual intercourse, according to University of British Columbia research.

Major Drug Smuggling – Russia
75 tonnes of drugs smuggled into Russia – Thaindian News

Moscow, July 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Some 75 tonnes of drugs are smuggled into Russia from Afghanistan via Central Asia every year, Russian drug control authority said Wednesday.

Drug Money Laundering – France
Noriega Gets 7-Year Prison Sentence In France – The Huffington Post

PARIS — A Paris court on Wednesday convicted former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega of laundering drug money in France in the 1980s and ordered him to spend seven years behind bars – a sentence that comes on top of his two decades already spent in a U.S. prison.

Lockdown Drug Rehab Order – Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan To JAIL For Violation Of Probation – The Huffington Post

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A judge sentenced Lindsay Lohan on Tuesday to 90 days in jail and an inpatient rehab program after finding the actress had violated her probation in a 2007 drug case by failing to attend alcohol education classes.

Doctor In Trouble Over Drug Overdose – USA Celebrity
Anna Nicole Smith’s Doctor Denied By Judge – Thaindian News

A Los Angeles judge refused to drop two of the charges against the doctor who was charged with prescribing the drugs to Anna Nicole Smith that led to the accidental fatal drug overdose. Dr. Sandeep Kapoor had sought to remove the charges of conspiracy and unlawful prescription of opiates.

Curbing Meth Production – Indiana
Push to make pseudoephedrine a prescription drug – FOX41.com

An Indiana law aimed at curbing methamphetamine production already restricts the sale of some over-the-counter cold medicine used to make meth. Now there’s a growing push for a stronger law that would make pseudoephedrine available only by a doctor’s prescription.

DUI – Tennessee
48 Year Old Woman Arrested For DUI After Consuming Vanilla – Thaindian News

Kelly Moss, a 48 year old woman was arrested on charges of consuming vanilla, after the police found her lying unconscious inside her car outside the Arlington Middle School in Tennessee. According to reports submitted by the police authorities who traced the woman in this condition, Kelly Moss’ speech sounded unclear, she could also not walk without the support of another person.

Drug Arrests – California

43 arrested for drug dealing in downtown San Diego – Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) - San Diego police have arrested 43 individuals accused of dealing drugs in downtown neighborhoods.

Drug Testing – New Method

Drug tests via exhaled breath – virtualmedicalcentre.com

A new study from Karolinska Institutet presents a new technique that makes drug testing possible through exhaled air for the first time. By examining people who had received emergency care for an amphetamine overdose, the researchers found that in all cases there were traces of amphetamine and metamphetamine in the exhaled breath.

Heroin – Ohio

Deputies arrest 2 on drug charges – Middletown Journal

HAMILTON — A month long drug investigation led to the arrest of a boyfriend-girlfriend duo and the man’s father, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Marijuana – Missouri

Police seize 102 pounds of marijuana – The Kansas City Star

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confiscated 102 pounds of marijuana and $5,000 in cash and arrested three people Friday in a drug bust at Linwood Boulevard and Main Street.

Drunk Driving – Texas

VIDEO: Drunk Driver In Freak Toll Booth Accident – Thaindian News

June 7, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Yasmine Villasana is the woman behind the bizarre accident the clip of which is doing the rounds on the web.

Meth – Arizona

Mesa man denies possessing meth because he’d smoked it all – azcentral.com

A 29-year-old Mesa bicyclist who was arrested on drug charges early Friday told police that they couldn’t possibly have found methamphetamine in his backpack because “he had smoked it all.”