Drug News

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Parents have role in kids’ drug decisions – Knoxville News Sentinel

The point of this column is to make clear that we, as parents, have something to say, and something to do, about whether our children are ensnared by drug abuse and addiction. By being proactive and taking simple, commonsense measures, we can go a long way towards protecting our kids.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Children Eat Meth, Thinking It was Candy; Mother Arrested – KTBS

LONGVIEW, Texas — A woman has been arrested after her children told police they tried methamphetamine drugs because they thought it was candy. Amanda Gail Walker, 30, of Hallsville was arrested.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Old habits die hard: Rise in number of alcohol and drug addicts over 50 in the US – Daily Mail

They are not your average alcoholics or drug addicts, and in fact if you looked around the room you would never guess that this is what binds them together. But for the group of over 60s, they know that addictions know no age.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin needles found near kid’s toys – Iowa City Press Citizen

Many of the drug-related items were found in the room belonging to Hinshaw’s child. Inside the room, officers found razor blades with drug residue, packaged marijuana and a “large pile of several hundred used syringes” near piles of the daughter’s toys … the worst case of a child being exposed to drugs the officers had ever seen.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription drug abuse growing problem in Indiana – Chicago Tribune

Prescription drugs are playing an increasing role in the drug-related crimes that are filling up Indiana’s prisons. “I would say 75 to 80 percent of all cases I handle, whether it be meth or cocaine, also had some sort of prescription drug.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Keith McCants: ‘I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me’ – National Football Post

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Alabama linebacker Keith McCants’ downward spiral is a sad story of self-inflicted blows, a tale of drug addiction, depression, wasted potential, wasted money and wasted opportunities.

DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Former Celtics Player Discusses Drug Addiction in New Book – Patch.com

Chris Herren, a basketball legend from Fall River, and a Portsmouth resident, realized his dreams by playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA, only to lose it all to drug addiction.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
FBI to probe Warren drug cases – Iowa City Press Citizen

FBI agents have agreed to investigate Warren County’s handling of drug-related criminal cases in light of a former prosecutor’s methamphetamine arrest.

HEROIN – USA
Seven-year-old ‘gave away heroin at school’ – Ninemsn

A seven-year-old schoolboy has been caught giving free bags of heroin to his classmates in Pittsburgh in the US. Police are investigating after a teacher caught the student with 18 bags of heroin in his backpack and locker at Quentin Roosevelt Elementary School.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription drug abuse legislation nixes ‘pill mills’ – The Newark Advocate

John Kasich signed legislation Friday afternoon aimed at confronting the supply side of prescription drug abuse. Abuse of medication, especially prescription pain relievers in the opiate family, has been called an “epidemic.”

ALCOHOL – USA
How Marylanders beat the alcohol lobby – Washington Post

The case for the new alcohol tax — a 3-percentage-point addition to the state’s 6 percent sales tax — was strong. It will save lives, prevent crime and help to avert thousands of cases of alcohol abuse or dependence. It will also raise at least $85 million in revenue a year.

DRUG ADDICTION – NEW ZEALAND
Major report released on families living with addiction

However, she says there is a also scarcity of information in this area, particularly in outcome measures that can be used to monitor the impact of drug and …

DRUG ADDICTION – U.S.
US drug czar says prevention will slow smuggling

Kerlikowske is in Canada for the first time for a series of meetings in Ottawa and to help release a new set of Canadian tools to combat drug addiction …

DRUG ADDICTION – U.S.
Utah drug courts: winning battles in a losing war?

Tears slide down his hardened face as the 41-year-old drug addict and convicted felon begins to cry about his estranged children. …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – U.S.
Oregon ranks fifth in prescription painkiller abuse in the US

Nationally, the White House Office of National Drug Policy is drafting a Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Action Plan, calling for better monitoring …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – U.S.
Forum on teenage drug abuse slated for Nov. 29

PORTLAND — A town hall meeting about prescription drug abuse by teenagers will be held Monday, Nov. 29, at King Middle School. …

METHAMPHETAMINE – U.S.
In rural counties, scourge of meth takes a toll

In rundown roadside hotel rooms, trailers in the woods and even cars, methamphetamine addicts in rural areas of North Central Florida are …

HEROIN – U.S.
Judge: Charges will stand against alleged supplier in heroin death

Barczi is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, causing death on allegations he supplied heroin to 25-year-old Nicole Waines on July 14 and she …

HEROIN – U.K.
Heroin shortage in UK is ‘putting lives at risk’

Hospitals are treating a growing number of drug users who have overdosed on heroin mixed with other substances by dealers because of a huge shortage of the …

Mouth Swab Drug Testing – USA
Mouth Swab Drug Test Facts – Buzzle.com

Saliva drug test is one of the most common procedures for detecting drug abuse in potential users. Read about mouth swab drug test facts in the following article to know more.

Methamphetamine Lab Bust – Michigan
Fugitive at large after Sherwood Twp. drug raid – BattleCreekEnquirer.com

SHERWOOD TOWNSHIP — A fugitive is still at large today after police raided a suspected methamphetamine house in Sherwood Township.

Drug Labs Destroyed – Afghanistan
U.S.-Russia force raids Afghan drug labs – UPI.com

MOSCOW, Oct. 29 (UPI) — The first joint U.S.-Russian drug raid in Afghanistan destroyed four major laboratories, Russia’s top drug-fighter said Friday.

Anna Nicole Smith Drug Trial – Verdict
Verdict in Anna Nicole Smith Drug Case – abc NEWS VIDEO

Anna Nicole Smith’s psychiatrist and boyfriend are found guilty of conspiracy.

Marijuana & Heroin – Nebraska
Traffic Stop Leads To Pot, Heroin Confiscation – KETV.com

UTICA, Neb. — The Nebraska State Patrol said nearly 200 pounds of marijuana and 51 grams of heroin were seized during a search of a rental truck Thursday night near Utica along Interstate 80.

Drug Use Down, Pot Use Up – Florida Students
Florida students’ overall drug use down, but marijuana use up – The Palm Beach Post NEWS

WEST PALM BEACH — Overall drug use is down, but marijuana and alcohol use among Florida middle- and high school-students remains a concern, state officials said Thursday.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Quest Diagnostics reports use of prescription opiates by American workers has increased by 40% – THE MEDICAL NEWS

Accidents do happen, but many times the incident could have been prevented when it is a result of prescription drug abuse.

Ending Drug Abuse – Georgia
Annual summit focuses on breaking cycle of drug abuse – times-georgian.com

Former NFL star Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson became aware of the effects of alcohol as a 10-year-old. He did not abuse the drug himself at that age, but he saw how it affected his mother and stepfather’s relationship.

Mephedrone Ban Request – European Union Nations
EU Calls For Ban on ‘Meow Meow’ Drug – MeDINDIA

The European Commission Wednesday called for a ban on suspected killer drug mephedrone, a popular ecstasy-like party drug known as “meow meow”, sold on the Internet and available in 12 EU nations.

Drug Trafficking – Massachusetts
Mass. Arrests 31 In Organized Crime Investigation – wbur.org

BOSTON — Authorities have charged 31 people in a yearlong investigation into organized crime and drug trafficking, including reputed New England mob capo Mark Rossetti.

Methamphetamine – Use During Pregnancy
Prosecution of Drug Abuse During Pregnancy – HEATH & WELLNESS

Kirsten Scharnberg, a Tribune National correspondent reported, “Tayshea Aiwohi is charged with consuming such huge amounts of crystal meth while she was pregnant that her son died of methamphetamine poisoning two days  after his birth” (Scharnberg, 2003). Cases such as this are appearing much more often in the spotlight recently. Prosecution against pregnant drug addicts has escalated greatly in recent years in a hope to protect the unborn fetus the women are carrying. Women who drink during pregnancy risk delivering a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, as well as mental retardation. Drug abuse exponentially increases the risk of miscarriage as well as much physical and mental impairment in the fetus.

Drug Abuse Prevention – US Air Force Musicians
Air Force musicians take a visible stand against drug abuse – U.S. AIR FORCE

10/21/2010 – SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) — The Air Force’s Band of the West is reaching out to thousands of school children in San Antonio with a “Stay in School” and “Say No to Drugs” message.

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.

Drug-Related Deaths – Mexico
At least 5 dead after drug-related clashes in northern Mexico – Thaindian News

MONTERREY, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) — At least five people were killed and three others were wounded during deadly clashes between Mexican Marines and drug gangs in the northern region of Mexico.

Illegal Drugs – UK
Drug dealer stripped of £550,000 assets – THE INDEPENDENT

A jailed drug dealer was stripped of more than half a million pounds of assets today – including his house, yacht and three flats.

Youth Drug Treatment Services – Canada
Government Of Canada Works With Alberta To Improve Drug Treatment Services Aimed At Youth – Medical News TODAY

Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, $6,488,367 in funding support for an early intervention drug treatment services project aimed at youth.

Prescription Drug Database – USA
States Linking Prescription Databases, Fight Abuse – abc NEWS/Technology

Starting next year, dozens of states will begin knitting together databases to watch prescription drug abuse, from powerful painkillers to diet pills.

Cocaine – Australia
Half-ton of cocaine found on sloop – UPI.com

BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 15 (UPI) — About a half-ton of cocaine was found on a 40-foot sloop raided shortly after its arrival in Brisbane, Australian police said.

Synthetic Marijuana – Florida
Florida battles ‘legal’ marijuana – UPI.com

LANTANA, Fla., Oct. 15 (UPI) — Police in Florida are asking convenience store owners to stop selling synthetic marijuana, legal in the state because it’s sold as “incense,” authorities say.

Underage Drinking – Nebraska
Solutions Sought For Alcohol-Related Crashes – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — Frustration mounted in a meeting Wednesday of educators, law officials and advocates on how best to contain the problem of underage drinking.

Substance Abuse – USA WWE
Substance Abuse In WWE Dogs Linda McMahon’s Senate Run – THE 33 CW Dallas Fort Worth

In December 2007, a performer for World Wrestling Entertainment named Lance Cade suffered a devastating shoulder injury during a show in Atlanta….

Meth – California
CVS to pay $75 million fine for selling key meth ingredient – 10 NEWS WTSP.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors say CVS Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay $75 million in fines for allowing repeated purchases of a key methamphetamine ingredient that led to a spike in Southern California drug trafficking.

Drug Trafficking – Mexico, Colombia
U.S. Treasury targets Mexican drug cartel – UPI.com

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) — The U.S. Treasury Department said it placed sanctions on a Mexican pilot for training drug carriers for the Sinaloa drug cartel.

Drug Dealers Arrested – UK
Nine arrests in anti-drugs raids in Coventry – BBC NEWS Coventry & Warwickshire

West Midlands Police organised early-morning raids as part of an operation against drug-dealing in the city.

Teen Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention – Nebraska
Peer Pressure Targeted In Drug, Alcohol Abuse – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — A group of Omaha teenagers from five high schools gathered Thursday to try to change the way their peers respond to messages about drugs and alcohol.

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.

Substance Abuse Treatment – Oregon
Demand for drug rehab in Oregon outpaces supply – KVAL.com

EUGENE, Ore. – Willamette Family drug treatment center’s resources are being stretched by an increase in addicts needing goverment assistance and relying on its services.

Drug & Alcohol Testing – Trinidad & Tobago
Consultant: Zero tolerance for alcohol on the job – Trinidad Express Newspapers

COMPANIES should institute random testing for drug and alcohol abuse for its employees, occupational health consultant Dr Carol Bhagan-Khan, has advised.

Substance Abuse Prevention – Canada
Government Of Canada Works With Yukon And Its Communities To Help Prevent Young People From Taking Drugs – Medical News TODAY

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced over $1.7 million in Government of Canada funding support for three projects in Yukon under the National Anti-Drug Strategy; the first project focuses on drug treatment services and the other two on drug prevention aimed at youth.

Drug Prevention – New York
Public hearings for county drug panel – Times Beacon Record media

The Suffolk County Heroin and Opiate Advisory Panel, created this past summer to help end the drug epidemic in Suffolk County, will be holding the first of two public hearings on Thursday, Oct. 14, in Hauppauge.

Cocaine – SAMHSA Survey Results
Fewer Young Adults Seek Help For Cocaine And Crack Use – Medical News TODAY

New figures from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) show a sharp drop for the first time in the numbers of drug users seeking treatment for addiction to cocaine and crack.