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.

Drug Charges – British Celebrity
George Michael Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges – MTV Networks

Troubled singer receives six-month suspension of driver’s license following July car crash.

Heroin Labeling – UK
Don’t label heroin users as ‘junkies’ - Drug Commission – BBC NEWS UK

People should stop calling heroin users “junkies” or “addicts”, an influential think tank on drugs has said.

Cocaine – USA Celebrity
LiLo wants apology from court over false cocaine addiction charges – Thaindian News

Washington, August 24 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan wants some form of apology or compensation from the court after coming clean in her latest medical reports.

Drug-Related Deaths – UK
12% increase in drug-related deaths – THE INDEPENDENT

The number of drug-related deaths in the UK rose by almost 12% to 2,182 last year, figures showed today.

Marijuana – Social Networking Website
Facebook Blocks Ads For Pot Legalization Campaign – The Huffington Post

Proponents of marijuana legalization, which is on the California ballot in 2010, have hit a Facebook wall in their effort to grow an online campaign to rethink the nation’s pot laws. Facebook initially accepted ads from the group Just Say Now, running them from August 7 to August 16, generating 38 million impressions and helping the group’s fan page grow to over 6,000 members. But then they were abruptly removed.

Methamphetamine – Texas
Grand jury in Lubbock: 428-count drug indictment – Associated Press

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - A methamphetamine investigation in the Lubbock area has led to a 428-count federal indictment charging eight people.

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.

Young Girl Selling Crack - New York
12-year-old girl busted for selling crack - UPI.com

NEW YORK, Aug. 19 (UPI) — A 12-year-old girl was charged with felony drug sales after being arrested for peddling crack cocaine and marijuana on a New York City street, police said.

Drug Fueled Robberies – New York
Bouquet Bandit, Edward Pemberton, Used Flowers To Avoid Suspicion – The Huffington Post

NEW YORK — The city’s so-called Bouquet Bandit told police he used plants as props to deflect suspicion in a series of bank robberies spurred by drinking and drug use, newly released documents show.

Child Drank Methadone – UK
Three-year-old girl in hospital after drinking methadone – DailyRecord.co.uk

A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl remains in hospital after she drank the heroin substitute methadone.

Jail Interview & Rehab – Lindsay Lohan
OK! pays Lohan $1 mn for first post-prison interview – Thaindian News

London, Aug 19 (IANS) It seems trouble spells profit for actress Lindsay Lohan, who will earn $1 million by sharing her experience during her 13-day ordeal in the prison in an exclusive interview to OK! Magazine.
The 24-year-old, who was sentenced to 90 days behind bars for violating her probation relating to a 2007 arrest and was transferred to a drug and alcohol treatment facility Aug 2, is set to make a fortune from speaking about the ordeal, reports contactmusic.com.

Marijuana Facts – Florida
Florida Marijuana Laws – Mahalo

Florida marijuana laws are effected by the Controlled Substance Act in the United States that outline the laws regarding marijuana violations. According to the act, marijuana is a Schedule I drug, defining it as highly addictive with no medical purposes. Because it is the most commonly used drug in the US, many state lawmakers have moved to seek the decriminalization of marijuana for possessing small amounts, However, Florida has not passed this type of legislation and state law still outlines possession in any amount to be a violation of the law.

College Binge Drinking Prevention – North Carolina
WFU targets alcohol abuse – Winston-Salem Journal

Wake Forest University is taking several steps to curb binge drinking, including notifying parents of all alcohol infractions, opening a new building for student activities and increasing the grade-point average that students must maintain to pledge a fraternity or sorority.

Marijuana – Maryland
Md. police seize pit bulls, marijuana plants – CourierPostOnline.com

ELKTON, MD.  — Authorities in Cecil County, Md., have seized 11 pit bulls and more than 100 marijuana plants during a search of an Elkton home.

Underage Drinking & Risky Behavior – UK
Newquay in UK seeing more booze, sex on the beach than Ibiza of Spain – Thaindian News

London, Aug 16 (ANI): Newquay, on Cornwall’s north coast in Britain is being seen as the new Ibiza as more and more youngsters are flocking to it for cheap booze, endless bar crawls and sex on the beach.

Prescription Drug Dispensing – UK
Vending machines for prescription drugs on trial – BBC NEWS HEALTH

There are questions though over if it is safe to break the patient-pharmacist link, if drugs stored in the machine will be safe from thieves and if people could fraudulently pick up the medicine meant for others.

Linked to Drugs – USA Reality Show Celebrity
Danielle Staub FIRED From ‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ – The Huffington Post

Danielle is not only known for her vicious catfights on-screen but also for her sex tape scandal, prostitution allegations, link to drugs and legal battles with other cast mates.

Meth Effects – USA
Ill effects of methamphetamine – THE MEDICAL NEWS

On the street it’s known as meth, speed, ice, chalk, crank, fire, glass or crystal. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that wreaks havoc on the entire body, including the user’s oral health. Approximately 10 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, while more than 1.4 million are habitual users.

Drunk Driving – USA Study
Why drunk drivers feel they are fit to get behind the wheel – Thaindian News

Washington, Aug 18 (ANI): Researchers have found why some people feel they have recovered enough to drive after drinking.

Drug Related Violence – UK
Promoter ‘was executed in drugs dispute’ – THE INDEPENDENT

A nightclub promoter was executed in the street because his drug dealing friends were muscling in on someone else’s patch, police said today…

Drug Testing – Virginia
Editorial: Drug testing in schools – Roanoke.com

Salem schools’ pilot project is reassuring in its aim and methods that emphasize helping students.

Meth – New Jersey
Nicole Bobek, U.S Figure Skater, Sentenced to Five Years’ Probation For Role In Meth Distribution – The Huffington Post

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek was ordered to spend five years on probation for her role in a New Jersey methamphetamine ring, a sentence that she said would give her a chance to get her life back on track.

Drunk Driving Crackdown – Michigan
Drunken driving crackdown to begin Thursday in Michigan – mlive.com

LANSING — Drunken drivers beware. Police plan to step up patrols beginning Thursday as part of “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” campaign, a drunken-driving crackdown that goes through Labor Day.

Marijuana – Nebraska
Pot Found During Domestic Violence Call – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — Police found 79 marijuana plants on Sunday while investigating as report of domestic violence.

Drug Related Violence – Georgia
Atlanta agrees to pay $4.9 million to family of grandmother shot during botched drug raid – 5 NEWS – Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta has agreed to pay $4.9 million to the family of a 92-year-old woman killed in a botched drug raid.

Cocaine – Scotland
Two face jail for £1.2m drug deal – BBC NEWS GLASGOW & WEST

Two men are facing prison terms over their parts in a £1.2m cocaine deal in the east end of Glasgow.

Marijuana – Washington
Drug agents seize 1,300 pot plants from WA forest – tricityherald.com – The Associated Press

STEVENSON, Wash. Drug officers have removed about 1,300 marijuana plants found in an outdoor grow operation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest of southwest Washington.

Drug-Related Violence – Texas
Nurses Increasingly Target Of Violence; Texas Nurse Case Settled – Medical News TODAY – The Associated Press

“Violence against nurses and other medical professionals appears to be increasing around the country as the number of drug addicts, alcoholics and psychiatric patients showing up at emergency rooms climbs. Nurses have responded, in part, by seeking tougher criminal penalties for assaults against health care workers.

Drug Charges – Celebrity, George Michael
Singer George Michael faces drug charge – BBC NEWS ENTERTAINMENT

Singer George Michael has been charged with possession of cannabis and driving while unfit through drink or drugs following an incident last month, Scotland Yard has said.

Meth – Tennessee
Meth Lab Found At Drug Rehab Center – WSMV.com

A recovery center in LaVergne that’s designed to help recovering addicts is now part of a police investigation.

Illegal Drugs – South Carolina
Horry County drug bust; amount and types of drugs shocks neighbors – CarolinaLive.com

Millions of dollars in drugs have been seized from a home in Horry County. It’s all part of a year long investigation into a trafficking ring that police say brought some pretty hardcore drugs, like black tar heroin, into the county.

Drunk Driving – Scotland
Drunk driver killed pedestrian in New Year Day crash – BBC NEWS TAYSIDE & CENTRAL

A speeding teenager killed a woman and seriously injured her boyfriend while driving home drunk after a New Year party in Dundee, a court has heard.

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.

Drug Dealing Letter Carrier – Massachusetts
Mail carrier arrested for drug dealing – UPI.com

GLOUCESTER, Mass., Aug. 3 (UPI) — A Massachusetts mail carrier was charged with offenses related to drug-dealing while on duty, and three others face drug-related charges, officials said.

Heroin and Crack Cocaine – Michigan
Detroit drug sting yields 28 arrests – UPI.com

DETROIT, Aug. 3 (UPI) — An 18-month investigation in Detroit yielded 28 arrests in a drug ring operating out of senior living complexes, officials said.

Drug Addiction – USA Celebrity
Writing memoirs was like therapy: ex Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler – Thaindian News

London, Aug 03 (ANI):Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler said that he is glad he wrote his memoirs because putting his experiences down in print has helped him escape his troubled past.

Marijuana – USA
Pot Brownie Attack by the Senate-Penalty Doubled! – Thaindian News

Aug 2 (THAINDIAN NEWS) After a vote by the Senate, Marijuana brownies and other edible drugs may carry twice the jail time and fines as regular drug charges in a vague new law which is said to be aimed at keeping drugs away from children, and focuses on drugs which are packaged or marketed to appear similar to candy products.

Alcohol and Drugs – Georgia
University Of Georgia Ranked Top Party School – The Huffington Post

ATLANTA — The University of Georgia won a national title this year – top party school.

Alcohol Related Violence – Scotland
Woman held over ‘drink theft’ murder in Glasgow – BBC NEWS

A woman has been arrested following the death of a 29-year-old man in Glasgow who is believed to have been attacked for his alcohol.