Drug News

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Doctor labeled ”candy man” – TheDay

Drug addicts called Dr. Scott W. Houghton “the candy man” because he readily wrote out prescriptions for the controlled substances they sought.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – CANADA
Addicts getting desperate – TheChronicleHerald

KENTVILLE — Members of the group fighting drug addiction in the Annapolis Valley are warning of a possible rash of crimes as increased pressure from police, doctors and the provincial prescription monitoring program reduces the supply of pills on the street.

ALCOHOL – USA
Substance-abuse program helps pregnant women deliver healthy babies – Daily Press

Fetal alcohol syndrome can include mental retardation, abnormal facial features and growth, memory, hearing vision, behavioral and central nervous system problems. There is no cure. The lifetime cost for one person with fetal alcohol syndrome in 2002 was an estimated $2 million.

ALCOHOL – USA
Keep Booze in Bars, Not at the Pit – Daily Lobo

Scott Owens, the guy who killed four teens near Santa Fe last summer was acquitted. His attorney never disputed Owens’ 0.16 blood-alcohol level — twice the presumptive legal intoxication limit. He only disputed reasonable certainty that Owens was solely responsible for the crash. The reasonable doubt was created by the teens’ erratic driving before the crash.

METHAMPHETAMINE – NEW ZEALAND
Fake tour group busted in New Zealand with $8 million of meth stashed in their shoes – New York Daily News

A group of Malaysians posing as tourists was busted in New Zealand after authorities found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine stashed in each of their shoes. Officials said the 10 traffickers were posing as an innocent tour group in order to try to …

HEROIN – USA
Portsmouth man sentenced for giving roommate fatal heroin dose – Daily Press

A Portsmouth man who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after giving heroin to his friend was sentenced to 4 years.

ECSTASY/COCAINE – USA
Authorities charge 27 people in cocaine, ecstasy ring in Somerset, Middlesex Counties – The Star-Ledger

Baillie, 28, was one of 27 people recently snared in a three-month investigation that unearthed a cocaine and ecstasy ring in Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

ALCOHOL/DRUG ADDICTION – USA
Summit reveals the devastation of one bad decision – NorthJersey.com

“I brought alcohol, weed and pills to the party,” he said. Dean and his friends got drunk and took the drugs he had brought. Dean passed out. When he woke up he found out that his best friend had died from an overdose.

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.

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.

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.

Heroin – Pakistan
Police seize 2 kg heroin, 1 arrested – Thaindian News

Patiala (Punjab), Sep 15 (IANS) Punjab police Wednesday claimed to have arrested a drug smuggler and recovered contraband worth Rs.10 crore from his possession.

Drunk Flying – USA Pilot
U.S. pilot arrested for high alcohol level – UPI.com

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 15 (UPI) — A flight from Amsterdam to New York was canceled when Dutch authorities determined the U.S. pilot’s blood-alcohol level was over the limit, Delta Airlines said.

Cocaine – Canada
Manitoba man arrested in record cocaine bust – cnews Crime

WINNIPEG – Police in the Maritimes have arrested a Winnipeg man at a ferry terminal in a record cocaine bust.

Marijuana – Illinois
Police: Man smoked all his pot during stop – UPI.com

FOREST PARK, Ill., Sept. 15 (UPI) — Police in Illinois said a man admitted to smoking the last of his marijuana in his car during a traffic stop so officers wouldn’t be able to find any drugs.

Cocaine – Australia
Mexican drug cartel infiltrates Australia – Thaindian News

Sydney, Sep 15 (IANS) One of the world’s most powerful organised crime syndicates, the Sinaloa drug cartel of Mexico, has infiltrated Australia, importing up to half of the cocaine used on the east coast over the past two years, media reports said Wednesday.

Marijuana – Arizona
Arizona border agents seize pot worth $3.1 million – azcentral.com

AJO – Border agents say they seized 4,000 pounds of marijuana worth more than $3.1 million in two separate incidents in southern Arizona.

Prescription Drug Addiction – World-Wide Epidemic
Addicts Go to Great Lengths to Obtain Prescription Drugs – Ezine @rticles

Unfortunately, whether they’re aware of it or not, doctor shopping has become the number one way addicts are acquiring drugs like Xanax, Oxy Contin, and other pain pills. Once an addiction has reached this point, the only real way to handle it is by enrolling in an effective drug and alcohol rehab.

Mephedrone Arrests – Scotland
Scots police make first arrests for mephedrone possession since drug ban was introduced – DailyRecord.co.uk

THE first arrests in connection with possession of the newly-banned drug mephedrone have been made in Scotland.

Driving While Intoxicated – New York
Ronald Moore Arrested: DWI Charge Hits Siena Guard – The Huffington Post

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — Siena senior guard Ronald Moore, who helped lead the Saints to the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, has been charged with drunken driving after being pulled over near campus.

Drug Charge Sentencing – New York
Cameron Douglas’ son sentencing on drug-dealing charges to be made public – Thaindian News

New York, Apr 17 (ANI): Actor Michael Douglas’ son Cameron will not be sentenced privately.

Heroin – Pennsylvania
Third-Grader Accused of Dealing Heroin – abc NEWS VIDEO

Police confiscate 80 packets of heroin from an 8-year-old boy in Pennsylvania.

Crack Cocaine – USA
More U.S. Infants Born With Syphilis, CDC Study Finds – Medical News TODAY

Reversing a 14-year decline, 23% more U.S. infants were born with syphilis in 2008 than in 2005, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Thursday, Reuters reports. The findings show that syphilis rates, which have increased among men who have sex with men, also are increasing in the heterosexual community, the researchers said. Many of the infants with syphilis were born to women in the South who use crack cocaine and work in the commercial sex trade, according to the report. These increases “might portend a larger increase in the congenital syphilis rate in 2009 and future years,” according to the report.