Drug News

Youth & Alcohol Study – UK
Brit Kids Get Drunk for About Half the Cost of a Chocolate Bar – MeDINDIA

A recent study has revealed that youngsters in the UK can get drunk for half the price of a chocolate bar.

Drug-Related ER Visits For Kids – USA
Kids Under 6 Made Majority of ER Visits for Accidental Drug Ingestion – Join Together

Children five years old and younger account for 69 percent of visits made to the emergency room in 2008 for accidental ingestion of drugs — and adults should take heed, HealthDay News reported Oct. 15.

Marijuana – Mexico
Marijuana packages seized in Mexico had Homer Simpson labels – Thaindian News

TIJUANA, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) — Around 105 tons of marijuana – which would have been sold for around 4.2 billion pesos ($337 million dollars) in roughly 210 million packages – were seized in Mexico’s drug-plaged north on Monday.

Cocaine – Kansas
Sixteen people charged in KCK cocaine-distribution ring – The Kansas City Star

Sixteen people are charged with distributing more $4.2 million in cocaine in the streets of Kansas City, Kan., federal officials announced Monday.

Alcohol – UK
‘Drunk’ dad leaves 3-year-old son in car for 25 hours – Thaindian News

London, Oct 19 (ANI): A ‘drunk’ father left his three-year-old boy alone in a car for up to 25 hours.

Meth – USA
Killer Meth: America’s Greatest Drug Threat – Drug Addiction Treatment

Five years is a long time in the evolution of drug use. In August 2005, Newsweek magazine published a story claiming that meth was “America’s Most Dangerous Drug.” A lot has changed in the drug landscape in America since then, and it’s gotten to the point where many experts believe that killer meth is America’s greatest drug threat.

Cocaine & Meth – Oregon
Medford family members charged in drug bust – OregonLive.com, The Associated Press

MEDFORD, Ore. — Several members of a family have been arrested on charges of dealing methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine.

Alcohol-Related Crash – Michigan
Covert man hurt in crash early Sunday morning – Mlive.com

PAW PAW — A 48-year-old Covert man was critically injured Sunday during an alcohol-related, two-car crash, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

Substance Abuse Grants – USA, SAMHSA
SAMHSA Awards Up To $6.7 Million In Grants To Expand Technology Assisted Care For Behavioral Health Services – Medical News TODAY

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced it is awarding a total of up to $6.7 million for three years to up to six grantees to expand their behavioral health treatment systems using technology-assisted approaches in communities that can most benefit from these types of integrated comprehensive services. This program is part of SAMHSA’s strategic initiative on preventing substance abuse and mental illness.

Marijuana & Crack Cocaine – North Carolina
Neighborhood shocked after man tries to sell drugs door to door – WMBF

MURRELLS INLET, SC (WMBF) – Neighbors in one Murrells Inlet development said they’re in shock after a man is arrested for trying to sell marijuana and crack to several people door to door.

Marijuana – Florida
Police find lost bong; suspect says thanks – UPI.com

BRADENTON, Fla., Oct. 17 (UPI) — A Florida man, arrested after admitting to police there was marijuana in his car trunk, thanked them for finding his bong, lost for seven years, officers say.

Prescription Drug Theft – Washington
Pastor charged with stealing pain meds – UPI.com

SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 15 (UPI) — A pastor in Spokane, Wash., was arrested Friday for stealing prescription drugs from the home of a parishioner, police said.

Cocaine – Canada
Taser use questioned in drug user’s death – cnews Crime

In a state of excited delirium from a weekend of smoking, snorting and injecting cocaine, Marreel wreaked havoc on the hamlet of Fisher’s Glen in the county of Norfolk in southern Ontario, testified Norfolk OPP officers at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton Tuesday.

Methamphetamine & Cocaine Bust – California
$300K of meth and cocaine found at Calif. Border – DTVN RENO / Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Border patrol agents busted a suspected drug smuggler after discovering nearly $300,000 in cocaine and methamphetamine hidden in a car bumper at a checkpoint near Pine Valley in San Diego County.

Partnership for a Drug-Free America – USA
New Name and Celebrity Spokesperson for The Partnership – Join Together

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has a new name and a new spokesperson in actress Melissa Gilbert, the Associated Press reported Oct. 7.

Drug Abuse Reduction & Prevention – Canada
Government Of Canada Works With The Province Of Manitoba To Reduce Illicit Drug Use – Medical News TODAY

Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan-St.Paul, announced today $6,363,708 in funding for drug treatment initiatives for the province of Manitoba under the National Anti-Drug Strategy. Joy Smith made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.

Drunk Driving – Nebraska
Crash Victim On Life Support – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — One of two people critically injured in a suspected drunk driving crash has “no brain activity”, according to the Omaha police department.

Marijuana Legalization Issues – California
Legalizing marijuana in California would not substantially cut cartel revenues, study finds – e! Science News

Legalizing marijuana in California will not dramatically reduce the drug revenues collected by Mexican drug trafficking organizations from sales to the United States, according to a new RAND Corporation study. The only scenario where legalization in California could substantially reduce the revenue of the drug trafficking organizations is if high-potency, California-produced marijuana is smuggled to other U.S. states at prices that are lower than those of current Mexican supplies, according to the study from the RAND Drug Policy Research Center. RAND is a nonprofit research organization.

Illegal Drugs – USA High School
Grafton High Faculty Learns How To Spot Illegal Drugs – msnbc.com

Authorities in Taylor County say that the drug problem in the county isn’t getting any better.

Date Rape Drug – Washington
Cops Investigating Overdoses of 12 Teens on Spiked Drinks – abc NEWS / Health

Date Rape Drug Suspected After 12 People, Mostly Women, Overdose at College Party

Cocaine Addiction Treatment – USA Celebrity
Lohan under ‘cocaine dependence’ treatment – Thaindian News

London, Oct 12 (IANS) Actress Lindsay Lohan is reportedly being treated for cocaine addiction at the Betty Ford Clinic in Los Angeles. She is undergoing a rehab treatment programme as she has a dependency for the Class A drug.

Meth Lab Fire – Michigan
Man killed in fire early Tuesday in St. Joseph County; police say blaze may have been sparked by meth lab – Mlive.com

STURGIS TOWNSHIP — A man was killed early Tuesday in a garage fire that police say may have been sparked by a methamphetamine lab.

Drunk Driving – Nebraska
Coach: Husker Nation Affected By Drunken Driving Crash – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — A teenager suspected of driving drunk and causing a chain-reaction crash on Saturday put four people in a hospital, including an assistant coach for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln golf team.

Marijuana – Nebraska
145 Pounds Of Pot Uncovered During Traffic Stop – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — The Nebraska State Patrol said a Texas man was arrested Saturday on Interstate 80 when a trooper found 145 pounds of marijuana in the bed of his pickup truck.

Underage Drinking – Florida
Bus driver resigns over drunk students – UPI.com

BRADENTON, Fla., Oct. 8 (UPI) — Officials in a Florida school district said a bus driver resigned after several sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls got drunk on her bus.

Prescription Drug Addiction – USA Celebrity
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis Discusses Prescription Drug Addiction, and Recovery – Drug Addiction Treatment

Addiction to prescription pain medications continues to come into the light, especially as more and more celebrities confess their problem. Prescription drugs are considered a possible factor in the death of Michael Jackson, and have become part of news stories surrounding actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who wrote in a published blog that she became hooked on morphine after completing cosmetic surgery.

Marijuana – Arizona
Boy, 14, crossing border caught with 2 pounds of pot – azcentral.com

More than two pounds were found in a Douglas teen’s backpack as he was crossing the port of entry from Mexico Thursday morning, authorities said.

Recovery Costs – USA
Who pays? Law changes are supposed to help with drug recovery – CoshoctonTribune.com

COSHOCTON — When the court orders a defendant into drug or alcohol treatment, chances are you, the taxpayer, are footing the bill.

Cocaine – USA Celebrity
Carrie Fisher did cocaine on set of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ – Thaindian News

Melbourne, Oct 11 (ANI): Carrie Fisher’s addiction to drugs was in full swing during her role as Princess Leia in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ in 1980, it has emerged.

Increase in Alcohol Consumption – Students
Study-abroad students increase alcohol consumption – Thaindian News

Washington, Oct 11 (ANI): New research from University of Washington has revealed that studying abroad is more like a prolonged spring break for some students – it can be months with fewer academic responsibilities, plentiful bars and alcohol, and parents far away.

Marijuana Arrests – California
More Than 4 Dozen Arrested In Mendocino Anti-Pot Sweep – CBS San Francisco

COVELO, Mendocino County (AP) — A major drug sweep in rural Mendocino County has netted more than four dozen arrests as authorities crack down on rural marijuana gardens.

Drug Abuse Awareness – USA Military
Department Monitors Substance Abuse Trends – U.S. Department Of Defense

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2010 – October 25 starts Red Ribbon Week for drug awareness, and this year Defense Department officials hope to shed light on what may be a disturbing new trend in substance abuse by servicemembers, according to the department’s director of health promotion and preventative services policy.

Celebrity Drug Use – USA
Hollywood Celebrities and the Drug Scene – MeDINDIA

Analysing the drug scenario has revealed the manner by which Hollywood celebrities get their fix.

Drug Rehab Again – Lindsay Lohan, USA Celebrity
LINDSAY LOHAN COMMITS HERSELF TO BETTY FORD – ALLVOICES

The troubled Lindsay Lohan has committed herself to the Betty Ford Clinic to treat her drug and alcohol addiction.

Drunk Driving – Michigan
Officers: Drunk man drove woman to police – UPI.com

CLAWSON, Mich., Sept. 30 (UPI) — Police in Michigan said they arrested a man who was allegedly drunk when he drove an intoxicated woman to the police station for questioning.

Cocaine – South America
Denise Van Outen finds £90k of cocaine – Telegraph.co.uk

Denise Van Outen, the television presenter, found almost £100,000 of cocaine while hiking in the Andes.

Cocaine Possession – USA Celebrity
Rapper Kid Cudi Pleads Guilty For Drug Possession – Thaindian News

Sep 28, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Rapper Kid Cudi pleaded guilty for criminal possession of Cocaine. Although he explained saying that he has “kicked off” the habit long time back, the court has ordered him to perform a two day long community service, and if he can successfully avoid further legal troubles and consumption of drugs, then his case may be dismissed within the next six months.

Drug Free Schools – India
Parents to take ‘anti-narcotics’ oath for drug-free Himachal – Thaindian News

Shimla, Sep 28 (IANS) Parents in Himachal Pradesh will take an ‘anti-narcotics’ oath at the time of their children’s admission to school to ensure that the kids are “not hooked to drugs”, a senior official said Tuesday.

Marijuana Seizure – Texas
$3 million drug bust in Central Texas – FOX10tv.com

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies seized 2,000 marijuana plants from a 55-acre property at 14650 North SH 95 on Sunday.

Drug Trafficking Prevention – USA
FBI wants right to tap texts, emails and websites under proposed new bill – Thaindian News

Washington, Sept 28 (ANI): A new Bill proposed to be introduced in the United States Congress in 2011, would reportedly allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to tap text messages, emails and networking websites.

Drug-Related Murder – Mexico
Small-Town Mayor Stoned to Death in Mexico – KTLA.com

MORELIA, Mexico — The mayor of the Mexican town of Tancitaro and his aide were found stoned to death Monday on a dirt road in the drug-plagued state of Michoacan.

Driving While Intoxicated – North Carolina
15 charges stem from DWI checkpoint – ENCToday.com

A DWI checkpoint in Jones County on Friday resulted in 15 charges, according to a news release issued Monday by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

Prescription Drugs – Massachusetts
A Wave of Addiction and Crime, with the Medicine Cabinet to Blame – The New York Times

BOSTON — Police departments have collected thousands of handguns through buy-back programs in communities throughout the country. Now they want the contents of your medicine cabinet.

Drug-Related Trouble – UK
Britain’s youngest mother aged 12 evicted over ‘wild drug-fueled parties’ – Thaindian News

London, Sept 24 (ANI): The woman, who became Britain’s youngest mother after a one-night stand at the age of 12, has been evicted from her home for throwing “wild drug-fueled parties”.

Alcohol – New Mexico
DWI/Drug Court graduates extol program’s value – News-Bulletin.com

John Savedra was on a mission: He was drunk, but he wanted to get drunker. So he hopped into his Jeep CJ5 with the intention of buying more beer and almost ended up killing himself.

Drug Tainted Water – Spain
Cocaine And Ecstasy Detected In Waters Of The L’Albufera In Valencia – Medical News TODAY

The water in the canals and irrigation channels in the L’Albufera Natural Park in Valencia contain cocaine, ecstasy and a further six drugs. This has been confirmed by a study carried out by researchers from the University of Valencia (UV), who have issued a warning about the continued presence of these substances on wildlife and human health.

Heroin – UK
Pembrokeshire heroin conspiracy gang jailed – BBC NEWS South West Wales

Eleven drug gang members have been jailed for a total of over 30 years for supplying heroin in Pembrokeshire.

Marijuana – Kansas
US woman receives marijuana along with shoe order – Thaindian News

Kansas, Sept 24 (ANI): A free gift along with a pair of shoes ordered online is nothing unusual, but when that gift turns out to be marijuana, it is an entirely different matter.

Substance Abuse – USA Celebrity
Why Would Lindsay Lohan Tweet Her Relapse? – abc NEWS / Entertainment

In the tweet heard ’round the world, Lindsay Lohan confirmed late Friday that she’d failed a court-ordered drug test – an outcome that could send her back to jail, under the terms of her probation. TMZ.com reported that the actress had also tested positive for cocaine last week.

Cocaine – USA Celebrity
Guilty Paris Hilton avoids prison, gets 1-yr suspended sentence – Thaindian News

London, Sep 21 (ANI): Paris Hilton has been given a one-year, suspended sentence after she pleaded guilty to drug possession and obstructing a police officer.

Drunk Driving Prevention – UK
Call for restrictions on newly-qualified drivers – The Independent

Banning newly qualified young motorists from driving at night, drinking alcohol and carrying passengers of a similar age would save 200 lives a year and result in 1,700 fewer injuries, research suggests.

Meth – Michigan
Shots fired, Kalamazoo County sheriff’s deputy treated at hospital after confrontation with meth-lab suspects – Mlive.com

WAKESHMA TOWNSHIP — Police said they were searching this morning for two suspects who were shot at by a Kalamazoo County sheriff’s deputy after they tried to run the deputy over.

Marijuana – New Mexico
NM police: We need info about licensed medical pot – The Daily News Galveston County

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The tip about a backyard marijuana-growing operation set the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force in motion.

Drunk Driving Prevention – USA
Increasing penalties for alcohol related crimes – WHYY News and Information

A top Pennsylvania State Senate Republican wants to increase fines for drinking-related offenses.

Marijuana – Canada
Marijuana grow-op discovered in Grenfell theatre – The Regina Leader-Post

An abandoned theatre in the small town of Grenfell is now the scene of a drug investigation after members of the Broadview RCMP discovered a marijuana grow operation inside the facility.

Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention – USA
New Patient Safety Alliance Launches Tools To Fight Pain Medication Misuse And Abuse – mediLexicon

The C.A.R.E.S. Alliance, a new patient safety organization, launched a range of online tools designed to help solve the growing problem of misuse and abuse of opioids by identifying the risks associated with these powerful pain medications. The free resources offered through the C.A.R.E.S. (Collaborating & Acting Responsibly to Ensure Safety) Alliance promote safety in prescribing, dispensing, using, storing and disposing of these commonly abused pain medications.

Teen Drug Abuse – Ohio
Drug abuse rising, teens tell survey – Dayton Daily News

DAYTON — Substance abuse among local high school students is rising, reversing a decline during much of the previous decade, according to a newly released Wright State University study.

Substance Abuse Prevention – West Virginia
Taylor County Agencies Tackling Substance Abuse Problem – 12 WBOY

GRAFTON — The Taylor County Collaborative Family Resource Network is working with multiple agencies in the county to educate the public about prescription drug abuse, an epidemic that is growing each year.

Methamphetamine – Alabama
Meth labs found on mountainside in Ala. – waaytv.com, Associated Press

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (AP) – Authorities have found 41 one-pot meth labs on the side of Lookout Mountain in DeKalb County, Ala.

Cocaine Smuggling – USA to Canada
Indian driver held in US for record cocaine haul – Thaindian News

Toronto, Sep 10 (IANS) Ravinder Kumar Arora, a 29-year-old Indian-origin truck driver with permanent resident status in Canada, has been arrested for trying to smuggle a massive consignment of 109 kg of cocaine from the US into Canada. It is one the largest contraband consignment ever seized by the US authorities.