Drug News

DRUG REHAB – USA
Baseball world shocked as Ramirez retires – AFP

LOS ANGELES — The American baseball community expressed surprise and shock that disgraced slugger Manny Ramirez chose to retire rather than take part in the league’s drug rehab programme for a second time. The Tampa Bay player called it a day Friday,

DRUG REHAB – USA
School nurse pushing for Mineral County youth drug rehab – Keyser Mineral Daily News Tribune

By Liz Beavers FORT ASHBY – As a school nurse at three schools in the Frankfort District, Tammy Hansford can see a very clear need for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for adolescents. Noting that there is a normal waiting period of six weeks. “Once somebody decides they want help, you have to get them help,” she said.

ALCOHOL – USA
Few Alcoholics Realize They Need Help – WebMD
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says that of the nation’s 7.4 million adults aged 21 and 64 who have untreated alcohol abuse, only 1.2% believe they could benefit from treatment. And only 7.8% recognize that they need treatment.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Here’s to me – Sydney Morning Herald
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After four years documenting the nation’s escalating toll of alcohol abuse as a health writer, I knew more than most about the consequences of risky drinking. But it didn’t deter me. I was first on the dance floor, last to leave the party and winner of the inaugural ”Jill Stark drinking award” at last year’s staff Christmas bash.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Pregnant women could face ban on buying alcohol – ABC Online
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The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation owns three shops in Alice Springs and is concerned about the effects of foetal alcohol syndrome in babies. The corporation’s Darryl Pearce says Alice Springs is facing many problems associated with alcohol abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Abuse – Effect Of Underage Binge Drinking To Brain Development Disclosed – Star Global Tribune‎

This may come as a surprise to some, but recent surveys indicate that episodes of heavy alcohol drinking within the previous two weeks are reported by 12 percent of 8th graders, 22 percent of 10th graders, 28 percent of 12th grade seniors and 44 …

ECSTASY – CANADA
Bad ecstasy puts several in hospital – TheChronicleHerald
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Several young Haligonians have gotten seriously ill after ingesting bad ecstasy and at least one is still in hospital, Halifax drug officers said Thursday. “They were in a serious medical condition,” said Constable David Lane.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Sheriff: Mobile meth labs create ‘toxic’ dangers to highway cleanup crews – Muskegon Chronicle
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The toxic residue is found on paraphernalia used to make “mobile” methamphetamine labs, said Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler. Mobile meth labs are operated out of vehicles and then discarded along highways statewide, Roesler said.

MARIJUANA AND ECSTASY – UK
More teens on drugs: After 10 year decline marijuana and ecstasy use rises – Daily Mail

‘We encourage parents and caregivers to pay attention to the warning signs of teen drinking and other drug use, in order to intervene early and effectively. ‘If you suspect a problem, do not wait to get help for a child who is struggling with substance abuse.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
$36M to be used to fight prescription drug abuse in Ohio – Dayton Daily News

John Kasich on Tuesday announced $36 million in federal and local funds would be used to fight the scourge of prescription drug abuse, which now accounts for more deaths statewide than car accidents or suicides.

DRUG REHAB – AUSTRALIA
User had not fallen far enough to qualify for rehab – Logan West Leader

With no permanent home, Deborah has been “couch surfing” with her child for 12 months, mostly at the homes of other drug addicts. She was turned away from the city’s only residential rehabilitation centre because her addiction “wasn’t bad enough”.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
The end of racing’s drug addiction? – ESPN

Something big, bigger than a press release from RCI, needs to happen now, something to really build up momentum for the anti-drug cause. And the Breeders’ Cup is exactly the organization that should lead the way.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – INDIA
More city schoolchildren get hooked to whiteners – Times of India

CHENNAI: Counsellors working among alcoholics and drug addicts in the city are seeing a rise in the number of youngsters addicted to whiteners and other inhalants. At least 20 children are undergoing de-addiction from whiteners in the city.

DRUG ABUSE – SOUTH AFRICA
Painful accounts of drugs at tribute – Independent Online

Orgill lost her only son, Troy, three years ago when he committed suicide because of his drug addiction. She said: “One day he told me he loved me and an hour later I was cutting a rope from his neck trying to breathe life into him.”

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
State invites Alaska community coalitions to apply for alcohol abuse prevention grant – Greenfield Daily Reporter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska officials are encouraging community coalitions statewide to apply for grants to develop alcohol prevention programs. The state is planning to issue six grants for programs focusing on alcohol use among residents.

ALCOHOL – USA
Program aimed at preventing teen alcohol fatalities – Dothan Eagle
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The Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership staged a mock fatal car accident for seniors and juniors at Rehobeth High School on Wednesday morning.

DRUG REHAB – USA
The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr opens up about ‘hardcore’ drug problem – NME.com‎

The Strokes’ guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. has opened up about the drug rehab treatment he received while the band recorded their new album ‘Angles’. Hammond Jr didn’t name the specific type of drug he was being treated for, but called his ordeal …

DRUG ADDICTION – NEW ZEALAND
Is alcohol addiction a growing problem for NZ teens? – New Zealand Herald‎

Children as young as nine are among hundreds of people under 16 being treated by specialist clinics for alcoholics and drug addicts in greater Auckland. The number of children being treated by the region’s Community Alcohol and Drug Services increased …

DRUG ADDICTION – AUSTRALIA
WA top cop opens up about son’s addiction – Sydney Morning Herald‎

Mr O’Callaghan wrote to The Sunday Times newspaper explaining his personal pain dealing with a son suffering from a chronic drug-addiction. “For me, the problem was amplified by the very public airing of the most private of feelings,” he said. …

DRUG ABUSE – USA
W.Va. drug abuse hotline runs short of money – NECN‎

Administrators say money is running out for a phone service that helps people find treatment for prescription drug abuse. Clinical supervisor Laura Lander tells The Charleston Gazette that the $1 million funding for the West Virginia …

HEROIN – USA
Police: Teen Had 170 Bags of Heroin – Patch.com ‎

Patch Two teens were arrested after a motor vehicle stop Tuesday at Adams and Vaughn avenues, in which police said they found 170 bags of suspected heroin.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – USA
Expert: Teens use ‘party drugs’ to deal with stress – Arizona Republic‎

“In the last two or three years, we’ve had a significant surge in alcohol, ecstasy, prescription drugs and marijuana use among teens. And you notice that those are all the party drugs,” said researcher and substance-abuse treatment expert Karol Kumpher.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – WORLDWIDE
The WHO alert on alcohol abuse – Daily Sun‎

The grave danger that alcohol abuse poses to human health and wellbeing has again been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently disclosed that abuse of the substance causes nearly four percent more than the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tuberculosis, worldwide.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – CANADA
Driving while high almost as common as drunk driving, survey suggests – Vancouver Sun

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse’s British Columbia Roadside Survey 2010 found 7.2 per cent of the drivers tested turned out to be positive for drug use and 9.9 per cent of drivers tested positive for alcohol use.

BATH SALTS – USA
N.J. Legislators Sponsor Bill To Ban ‘Bath Salts’ – Patch.com ‎

Everyone knew he was a drug addict, everyone that knew him.” Laface said he saw Parisio last on March 9, and said he was very edgy. “Bill wasn’t his usual self, he seemed paranoid. I suggested that he’d check himself into a hospital.”

DRUG ADDICTION – INDIA
Chidambaram Expressed Concern Over Drug Addiction Among Indian Youth – MedIndia ‎

Union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram expressed concern over the growing drug addiction among the youth, saying that India has turned into a big market of narcotics.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Charlie Sheen’s rants and the early symptoms of drug addiction – Tulsa World‎

Sheen has convinced himself that he is his own higher power, on a drug called Charlie Sheen, which is a symptom I have seen all too often in drug addicts. Sheen’s tirades might be caused by his long-term drug use.

DRUG ADDICTION – UK
Bid to sterilize drug addicts sparks fury – Herald.ie ‎

She has already paid more than 1200 American female drug addicts to be sterlized and 26 British addicts to have contraceptive coils fitted. She has now turned her attention to Ireland and says she is looking for donations to expand into this country.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Md. health official decries prescription drug abuse – Washington Examiner‎

According to Dr. Fran Phillips, there is ample evidence of a major public health concern from prescription drug abuse. If the bill is passed, a database would be created to track prescriptions of potentially dangerous drugs like OxyContin.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – SOUTH AFRICA
Poverty fuelling drug and alcohol abuse – Times LIVE

The widespread poverty and unemployment in South Africa is fuelling drug and alcohol abuse. “Unless we can offer hope to our youth, we will never to able to wean them away from practices which promise some short-term escape, but inflict deadly long-term damage to their bodies and minds.”

ALCOHOL ABUSE – UK
Early drinkers more likely to use booze to cope – Independent

“We found that the impact of stressful life events on drinking behavior depends on the age at first drink. The earlier they start with alcohol use, the stronger the association between life stress and drinking.”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Federal sting nets 25 in meth-distribution ring – Salt Lake Tribune

Two indictments unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court name 25 people connected to a methamphetamine distribution ring that investigators believe has been operating in Utah since 2009.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Advocates Push Pols to Reform Rehab, Drug Prevention – ‎Long Island Press

Drug-test student athletes. Strengthen social host laws. Sic drug-sniffing dogs on school lockers. Overhaul the substance-abuse rehabilitation sector. Enact better controls over prescription medication. Require health insurance companies to cover rehab bills.

DRUG REHAB PROGRAM – USA
Letter: Incarceration is waste of taxpayers’ dollars without drug rehab program – ‎TCPalm

The St. Lucie jail has a drug program but a large majority of inmates can’t participate. The jail manager is quoted as saying, “It’s not a right but a privilege.”

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Officers Target Adults Supplying Alcohol To Minors – NBC Montana

The Lake County Flathead Reservation Alcohol Enforcement Team is banking on that. They’re trying to stop adults from supplying alcohol to minors.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Hickenlooper catches flak for changes in low-alcohol beer sales – Denver Post

Convenience-store owners are accusing Gov. John Hickenlooper of meddling in a battle over who gets to sell low-strength beer in Colorado.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Combinations of drugs can be deadly – Laredo Sun

LAREDO, TX .- “They combine drugs that they can find at home and mix it with ecstasy and drink alcohol. They take drugs, particularly drugs stolen from their homes to enter the party,”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Lawman to fight drugs, corruption within state – Columbus Dispatch

“I wanted someone with a fire in their belly to do this job because we’re going after public corruption, and we’re going after prescription drugs,” DeWine said.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Missouri remains in top 3 state for meth lab seizures – Lakenewsonline.com

Law enforcement agents investigated 1960 incidents with meth labs or parts of meth labs in 2010, compared to 1285 methamphetamine lab seizures in 2007. “Once again, Missouri has the unfortunate distinction of being the leader in meth lab seizures, despite the hard work of the state’s drug task forces and all law enforcement,”

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Oklahoma’s Narcotics Bureau to pay for meth lab cleanup – NewsOK.com

Federal funds to clean up methamphetamine labs has run out, and state Narcotics Bureau officials say they will now pay for the costs of cleaning up a problem that’s again on the rise in the state.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Quotes: Charlie Sheen On His ‘Drug Use’ – TIME‎

CHARLIE SHEEN, speaking about his latest “drug” of choice to 20/20, dodging rumors that he’s still battling addiction. CBS pulled the plug on this season of Two and a Half Men after Sheen’s radio tirade last week against the show’s creator.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Drug addiction in Utah: Families devastated by prescription pain meds abuse – Fox 13 Now‎

Erin Johnson from the Utah Department of Health shares with FOX 13 how her study gauges drug addiction in Utah and what her results may mean. Her conclusions touch on the culture, religion and family dynamic.

PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS – Canada
Prescription pill addiction ruining lives – Toronto Sun‎

A drug addict since his early 20s, Steven started popping Dexedrine and Ritalin — both stimulants — in 2005 after he ran out of money for cocaine. Steven was crushing up to 30 pills a day and snorting them. With that came vomiting and tremors.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Drug addiction hijacks several areas of the brain — and almost all of one’s life – Los Angeles Times‎

More recent research, however, indicates that addiction targets more than the reward system of the brain. Imaging studies show that the brain’s cognitive systems in the prefrontal cortex area are disrupted by drug addiction.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – USA
$125,000 grant awarded to Blount County Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team – Blount Today‎

According to a 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 46 percent of 6th to 12th graders drank more than a few sips of alcohol before the age of 15; 29 percent confirmed the use of alcohol in the last 30 days; and 19 percent of 6th to 12th graders had …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera must face challenges of alcohol abuse – MLive.com‎

He will say that he is taking steps to address his alcohol problem, which became evident Wednesday night, when he was arrested and charged with DUI, resisting an officer without violence and having an open bottle of James Buchanan Scotch in his Land Rover.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Underage Alcohol Use Starts at Home – About – News & Issues‎

“Parents and other adults need to be aware that providing alcohol to children can expose them to an increased risk for alcohol abuse and set them on a path with increased potential for addiction.”

PARTY DRUGS – USA
Rave at Salt Palace results in nearly a dozen arrests – Deseret News‎

It’s the second time in two months that officers have made multiple drug-related arrests at a rave party hosted at the Salt Palace. Prompted by calls from concerned parents, Sgt. Shawn Josephson said the Vice Squad and the Narcotics Unit ..

PARTY DRUGS – CANADA
Police uncover new party drug in GTA raid- CityNews ‎

“This is our first seizure and it does concern us as it is one more drug out on the street. It is a recreational drug and a party drug. It produces a similar effect as MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines and cocaine. The street price is similar to cocaine.

ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE – UK
I strolled into riot jail and found inmates taking drugs & boozing – The Sun

As one inmate gleefully told me: “It’s still party time at Ford, man.” Last month a senior prison officer at the jail told me anonymously that security at McDonald’s was tougher than at Ford. So I decided to put it to the test. …

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
County to drop Prop. 36 drug treatment: Lack of state funding ends program for minor drug offenders – Santa Cruz Sentinel‎

SANTA CRUZ — The county’s Proposition 36 drug treatment program, which provides counseling services to minor drug offenders, will be phased out by March 1 due to a lack of state funding, officials said. Under the 2000 state voter …

HEROIN – USA
Few options for drug treatment – WLFI.com ‎

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After three people overdosed on heroin last weekend, officials are raising concerns about the lack of treatment for the drug in our area.

DRUG COURT – USA
KY bill sends criminals to rehab, not jail – 14WFIE.com ‎

The cost for correctional facilities has increased by $300 million in the past 20 years, the house believes criminals with low level drug offenses should be considered for treatment instead of jail time to cut costs.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcoholism and Drug Use in Baseball – BoSox Injection ‎

Cabrera spent 3-months undergoing alcohol abuse treatment at the end of 2009 and into 2010, but now faces a relapse and more issues related to his disease. Many fans are outraged and want him suspended, but what issue does a suspension solve?

ALCOHOL – USA
Many Kids Who Drink Get Liquor From Home: Report – BusinessWeek ‎

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 5000 youngsters and teens under the age of 21 die each year as a result of underage drinking, including deaths from falls, burns and drowning. …

PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING – USA
Rogers urges Fla. governor not to cancel drug monitoring system – Lexington Herald Leader ‎

“On behalf of my constituents, who continue to suffer from out-of-control and escalating prescription drug diversion originating from your state, I respectfully ask that you reverse your position on the value of and unquestionable need for” the monitoring system.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Florida hospitals see rise in drug-addicted newborns – AZ Central.com‎

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s prescription-drug epidemic – already responsible for nearly seven deaths a day – is taking its toll on the youngest, most vulnerable in its communities: newborns. In 2009, nearly 1,000 babies born in Florida hospitals were treated for drug-withdrawal syndrome.

DRUG ABUSE – UK
Opium perfume ad banned for ‘simulated drug use’ – The Guardian ‎

… and seduced the viewer to become this addiction”. The company said that it was a responsible advertiser and did not intend to use drug imagery in the ad …

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE – USA
NIDA: Drug Abuse Alters Brain Circuitry Long-Term – JoinTogether.org

State-of-the-art brain imaging shows that changes in the brain’s reward circuitry caused by substance abuse likely remain even after drug and alcohol use stop.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Chesco principal tells heartbreak of son’s drug use and death – Pottstown Mercury ‎

Through tears and heartbreak, Rick Dunlap recounted how prescription drug addiction abruptly ended his son’s life.

DRUG ABUSE – USA
Porn star Kacey Jordan: ‘Charlie Sheen’s drug use was like a suicide binge’ – Examiner.com ‎

Charlie, who has a long history of alcohol and drug addiction, is now in a personalized three-month drug rehab program at home, where he is being supervised …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Columbia Ivy League Drug Bust: How reforms to the Rockefeller drug laws could help the alleged Ivy League Drug dealers – Slate Magazine

Opponents say the laws were not only outdated, but also ineffective (incarcerated drug addicts had high recidivism rates), costly (it cost more to imprison …

DRUG COURT – USA
Specialty courts: Justice system partners find solutions to ease budgets, reduce crime, and help offenders make lasting changes – WisBar

“Drug courts are a smart way to address the problem of nonviolent offenders who commit crimes driven by drug addiction,” said Dane County Circuit Court …

ECSTASY – USA
Viagra, ecstasy pills mixed as ‘sextacy’ – Toronto Sun ‎

With what some call ‘sextacy,’ the drug Viagra is sometimes paired with ecstasy, a popular and often lethal party drug touted as an aphrodisiac. …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
‘The price of a drink: survey reveals cost of alcohol abuse’ – The Publican

The toll that alcohol takes on many people’s lives is laid bare in a survey which has prompted fresh calls for action to tackle widespread …

DRUG REHAB – USA
‘Golden voice’ Ted Williams departs drug rehab – CNN International

Ted Williams, the homeless “golden voice” sensation on the internet, checked himself out of drug rehab 12 days after …

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Overhaul proposed in treatment of area alcohol and drug addicts – Dayton Daily News

A two-year study of Montgomery County’s alcohol and drug addiction services recommends an overhaul of the system, making treatment more individualized and immediate.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Alcohol delays, breaks marriages, study finds – CNN‎

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says 17.6 million adults in the United States abuse alcohol or are dependent on alcohol.

OPIUM – AFGHANISTAN
Opium addiction in Afghanistan includes infants – Malaysia Sun‎

Afghanistan is a major producer of the world’s opium and is facing an ever-increasing epidemic of drug use at home as well, with infants in some areas being …

BATH SALTS – USA
Officials fear bath salts are growing drug problem – AllVoices

Bath salts is an innocuous household item that most of us have in our homes, most likely, our bathrooms. Used to soak aching muscles, we would think nothing of leaving them stored, unsecured in our cabinets, right?

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Senator committed to attacking drug abuse – Marietta Times‎

… we can better educate Ohioans about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. And save Ohio families while rebuilding our communities. The drug addiction …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
PR firm with past ties to drugmakers to run Ohio’s anti-overdose program – Chillicothe Gazette‎

It also showed most doctors were not taking advantage of a statewide database designed to curb addicts’ prescription drug abuse. Fleishman, which had the …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Drinking is growing problem on campus – Texas A&M The Battalion

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism said that binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings one’s blood alcohol …

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton Overcomes Drug Addiction To Win – Bleacher Report
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For Hamilton, it was a tremendous accomplishment in his career which was derailed by alcohol and drug abuse problems. “I would say a 99 percent chance that …

DRUG LEGALIZATION – PORTUGAL
Portugal’s Drug Experience: New Study Confirms Decriminalization – TIME
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After nearly a decade, according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Criminology: less teen drug use, fewer HIV infections, fewer AIDS cases and more drugs seized by law enforcement.

DRUG REHAB – U.K.
Study supports call to allow addicts to shape treatment – The Guardian
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Yet of 152 drug and alcohol addicts and recovering users surveyed by the RSA, half of those who had received treatment did not finish their programme and …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Energy drinks fuel teens’ alcohol abuse – NDTV

College students who routinely consume highly caffeinated energy drinks have a higher risk of becoming alcohol-dependent. Some students consume the …

ALCOHOL ABUSE – AUSTRALIA
Northern Territory Law Society calls for ban on alcohol … – News-Medical.net
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According to the Northern Territory Law Society, pubs, bars and breweries should be stopped from sponsoring sport. …

DRUG / ALCOHOL RECOVERY – USA
15-year-old who battled drugs, alcohol now helps other teens find – The Tennessean
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All of the 10 teens in the group have parents who battle drug and alcohol addictions. Most of them have at least one parent in prison. …

HEROIN – USA
Human Smugglers Switch To Cargo Of Heroin – KPHO Phoenix
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PHOENIX — Officials from US Customs and Border Protection and the Border Patrol said they are seeing an increased number of heroin shipments coming from …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Painkiller addiction is growing problem with serious consequences – The Spokesman Review

They now take more lives than heroin and cocaine combined. … a drug used to treat alcoholism, to treat addiction to heroin and Schedule II painkillers. …