Drug News

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse: Governors To Develop Best Practices For States – Huffington Post

The association plans to look at prescription drug abuse from perspectives that include medical, addiction, criminal justice and economic. The issues include trying to end addiction, pill mills, doctor shopping for prescriptions, and robberies of pharmacies. The goal is a comprehensive strategy tackling all aspects of the issue.

HEROIN – USA
Calif. cops dismantle major heroin pipeline – Police News

Police have shut down a heroin pipeline into the city, arresting three suspects. More than 5 pounds of heroin was seized during the investigation, which police said was enough to supply 192 people for a year.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Mom’s Meth Use May Affect Kids’ Behavior – ABC News

At ages 3 and 5, children who had been exposed to methamphetamine in the womb had greater emotional reactivity and higher levels of anxiety and depression than their unexposed peers

ALCOHOL – UK
The alcohol debate: Forget young binge drinkers… middle-aged and middle class are UK’s main ‘legal high’ abusers – Mancunian Matters

“The first thing to say about alcohol is this: Alcohol is a very strong drug. Alcohol has only one use – it’s a recreational drug. Every year in the United Kingdom somewhere around 9,000 to 40,000 people die as a result of drinking alcohol (depending on how the figures are estimated), while about 2,000 die as a result of all illegal drugs put together.”

OPIUM – AFGHANISTAN
Lifting the veil on Afghanistan’s female addicts – Reuters

Smoking opium costs around 200 Afghanis a day ($4), a very expensive habit in a country where a third live beneath the poverty line. Women send their children to collect scrap and bottles to help pay for their habit, or resort to begging, extending a hand to cars from beneath their burqa on busy streets when their husbands have left home.

ALCOHOL – USA
Campaign targets underage drinkers, parents who provide alcohol – The Times and Democrat

Each year, thousands of teens are killed or injured in traffic crashes as a result of underage drinking. In 2006, more than 18 percent of all 15- to 20-year-old drivers and motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes in South Carolina had blood alcohol concentration levels of .08 or higher, despite the fact that it is illegal for these drivers to drink any alcohol. Parents need to know that hosting a party or buying their kids or their friend’s kids alcohol is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous for their teens, for others in the community, and for the parents themselves, given the legal ramifications they face.

HEROIN – USA
Affluent suburbs of Sacramento, Calif., see heroin influx – PennLive.com

Heroin, a drug most often associated with the gritty back alleys of big cities, is making a surprising surge in the affluent suburbs of Sacramento, becoming the new drug of choice.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
State attorney general warns of prescription-drug perils – Smithfield Herald

The number of people who abuse drugs prescribed by doctors is on the rise. Teens commonly abuse the drugs, statistics show. One in four high school students will have used narcotics by the time they reach their senior year. Last year, more than 1,000 people in North Carolina died from prescription-drug overdoses.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin ‘junkie’ thanks cops after arrest – Madison.com

A heroin addict who told police he shoots up three times a day was thankful after his arrest early Sunday morning, Madison police reported. …

HEROIN – USA
Now a Lawyer, Once a Heroin Addict – CBS News

Jeff Glor reports on the story of a reformed heroin addict who earned his GED behind bars and a law degree after being released. Rick Dyer, 58, …

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Farnham: ‘Shoot every meth head,’ but don’t take away my Sudafed – Pulaski County Daily News

Pseudoephedrine is the main component to make meth and several Missouri communities have already instituted a prescription only policy through local …

METHAMPHETAMINE – WORLD
Meth Project Named Third Most Effective Philanthropy In the World – Business Wire

Meth Project Founder Thomas M. Siebel Recognized on Annual List of “25 Best Givers” and Commended for Significantly Reducing Meth Use

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Are students turning to Adderall to get A’s? – The Massachusetts Daily Collegian

“I love Adderall,” she added. “I love it. I can write papers in, like, an hour and a half; I don’t eat all day and then I’ll smoke weed, get really retarded, and it’s so fun.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
NY bust: Medicaid patients’ Rx drugs go to dealers – The Associated Press

The report examined Medicaid abuse in New York, California, Illinois, North Carolina and Texas, high-volume states in Medicaid prescription drug payments. …

SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA – USA
DEA targets synthetic marijuana – WPDE

“They’ve placed it in a category right alongside heroin, right alongside marijuana, right alongside ecstasy or other club drugs. in other words there are no …

COCAINE – ITALY
Python found guarding cocaine – UPI.com

Police in Italy said they had to evade a white python to plant listening devices near the cocaine stash of a drug ring in the Neapolitan Camorra …

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Drop off unwanted/outdated prescription drugs to guard against abuse – WISTV

The Executive Office of National Drug Control Policy says the number of people abusing prescription drugs has gone up 80 percent. To help guard against abuse, you can safely dispose of drugs that are expired or that you no longer need.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin makes ‘significant impact’ on teens, young adults – News Herald

With evidence showing the use of heroin on the rise, The News-Herald looks into this highly addictive drug and the impact it is having on society.

DRUG USE – CZECH REPUBLIC
Experts call for more funding for prevention as report finds rise in hard drug use – Radio.cz

A new report by the Czech government’s drug monitoring agency shows an increase in the number of long-term users of intravenous drugs and puts young Czechs at the top of the EU ladder in experimenting with or regularly smoking marijuana. Some experts say this is largely due to a lack of prevention measures and a large degree of tolerance towards the use of psychotropic substances.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse: “Fastest Growing” Substance Abuse – KIMT

Prescription drugs like these are at the root of a growing problem in North Iowa. “In our opinion this is probably the number one problem and it’s growing at actually epic proportions,” said Chief Deputy David Hepperly, of the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Kentucky explores requiring prescription for pseudoephedrine to curb meth labs – Courier-Journal

It’s provided millions of allergy sufferers relief from itchy eyes and runny noses, but pseudoephedrine may become available only by prescription in Kentucky, if some law enforcement and legislators have their way.

HEROIN – CANADA
Heroin seized at Edmonton airport – CBC Canada

Border officials seized what they believe to be more than a kilogram of heroin at the Edmonton International Airport.

ALCOHOL – USA
College football, Greeks and other tales of alcohol abuse – Los Angeles Times

Alcohol policies surrounding football tailgating parties are common at many universities. Some schools ban alcohol at tailgating events entirely, others restrict alcohol to certain areas of the parking lots and others ban it during certain time periods, such as 30 minutes before kickoff. A new study shows that a majority of tailgaters were already well on their way to high blood-alcohol …

HEROIN – USA
Prosecutor: Heroin mill found near Times Square – Yahoo! News

A newly renovated, nearly $4,000-a-month apartment two blocks from Times Square was being used as a major heroin-packaging mill, processing millions of dollars’ worth of the drug for sale, authorities said Thursday.

Heroin – New York
Three arrested in Port Jervis heroin bust – recordonline.com

PORT JERVIS — City police Tuesday arrested a Monticello man they say sold heroin to undercover officers.

Alcohol Abuse – Australia
Indigenous leaders fear rise in drug, alcohol abuse – ABC | Indigenous

A Cape York leader in far north Queensland says he is concerned about the impact a High Court decision could have on substance abuse in the community.

Meth Lab – South Carolina
Meth lab discovered in Hartsville neighborhood - CarolinaLive.com

The discovery of a meth lab at a home in a Harstville community sent shock waves of alarm through the neighborhood. Those living nearby were understandably concerned because their homes weren’t the only thing in danger. There’s a school just 500 yards away.

Meth & Marijuana – Iowa
Iowa Drug Report Shows Issues With Meth, Marijuana – Action3News.com

Des Moines, IA (AP) – Iowa drug control officials have issued a new report that finds the state has an escalating synthetic drug abuse problem and there has been an increase in need for treatment for methamphetamine and marijuana users.

Cocaine – Arizona
Border officers seize $12 million in cocaine – azcentral.com

NOGALES – Border officers in the southeastern Arizona city of Nogales made three separate cocaine seizures worth a combined $12.1 million in one day.

Heroin – New York
Drug Dealers Caught on Google Street View – abcNews/Technology

Google Street View sightings tend to be more peculiar than practical — in the past year alone, the globe encompassing image service has turned up photos of a so-called two-headed man, a “dead” girl and a snake out for a walk with its owner. But the latest additions to the canon of Street View spectacles are so valuable they might be used in a court of law.

Heroin – Australia
Australian woman who hid heroin in stomach held – Thaindian News

Sydney, Nov 6 (IANS) An Australian woman has been arrested here after she was found to have swallowed 41 balloons filled with heroin, a media report said Saturday.

Meth-Related Death – UK
10-day-old girl dies in washing machine – Thaindian News

London, Nov 8 (IANS) A 10-day-old girl died in Britain when her mother put her in a washing machine with a pile of laundry, a media report said Monday.

Caffeinated Alcohol Ban – Michigan
Michigan Bans Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks – CSP

LANSING, Mich. — The state of Michigan has banned caffeinated alcoholic beverages. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) rescinding the approval of all “alcohol energy drinks.” The commission will notify beverage makers via a commission order about the product ban; they will have 30 days to remove these products from the state of Michigan, it said.

Drug Raid – Ohio
Holmesville meth raid ‘went really well and no one got hurt’ - The-Daily-Record.com

MILLERSBURG — Deputies donned camo and checked their weapons and gas masks, then checked them again.

Heroin Seizure – Nevada
Las Vegas heroin seizure worth $1 million – UPI.com

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 7 (UPI) — Police say the $1 million worth of heroin seized at the Las Vegas airport was the largest in the city in recent history.

Cocaine – UK
Benson Offia in court for a 3 million Pounds cocaine haul – Thaindian News

London, Nov 8 (THAINDIAN NEWS) British Officers will take a man accused of possessing one of the highest quantities of cocaine in the country to court today. The street value of the drug that was seized from the man is estimated to be worth £3 million. He is charged with possessing Class A drug with the intent to sell.

Heroin – Colorado
Students found using heroin at AAHS – Coloradoconnection.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Academy District 20 officials said they found students using heroin and other substances at Air Academy High School, and one student has been arrested.

Cocaine – Florida
‘Candy’ cocaine leads to drug arrest – UPI.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 4 (UPI) — A Puerto Rico man is charged with attempting to smuggle 21 pounds of cocaine into Florida disguised in bags of candy, authorities said.

Probation – USA Celebrity
Lil Wayne Can’t Drink For Three Years Under Probation – MTV NEWS

Lil Wayne isn’t allowed to drink alcohol for three years, according to Arizona probation documents obtained by TMZ.

Meth – Wyoming
Wyo. cops lose box of drugs that says ‘METH’ on it – ctpost.com

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Officials in Wyoming want people to be on the lookout for a black box with white lettering that says “METH,” after a deputy lost a stash used to train police dogs. Teton County sheriff’s Sgt. Lloyd Funk said the deputy accidentally left the box on a bumper after a canine training exercise Oct. 27. It contained nearly an ounce of methamphetamine.

Marijuana – Nebraska
State Patrol: Pot Found Stashed In Spare Tire – KETV.com

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska State Patrol said a Las Vegas man is in jail after marijuana was found stashed in the spare tire of his pickup truck.

Alcohol Abuse – Ireland
President of UCC issues alcohol warning – IrishExaminer.com

HEALTH problems and Ireland’s image abroad will worsen significantly unless rising alcohol abuse by young people is reversed, the head of one of the country’s biggest colleges has warned.

Meth – Arizona
Man caught with meth pipe in his underpants in Mesa – azcentral.com

A man confessed to hiding a methamphetamine pipe in his underwear after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dangerous drug.

Heroin Smuggling – Dominican Republic
Dominican Police Say Singer Had Drugs in Stomach – abcNEWS/Entertainment

Dominican police say singer found at airport with heroin in stomach rushed to hospital

Drug Arrest – Michigan Mother
Kalamazoo woman appearing unconscious with son in her car, arrested on drug charges – Mlive.com

ALMENA TOWNSHIP — A Kalamazoo woman who police say had her 11-year-old son with her in her car was arrested on drug charges in northeastern Van Buren County late Monday, police said.

Marijuana – California
California Citizens Reject Proposition 19 – Thaindian News

Nov 3, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Proposition 19 has been drawing national and international attention as California attempted to become the first state in nation to legalize marijuana-related activities. However, yesterday all the hopes and dreams of Proposition 19 supporters were crushed when the proposal was rejected by 57 percent against 43 percent in favor of it. However, the supporters believe that this was their first step of legalization of marijuana and in 2012 also they would raise the issue during election.

Drug & Alcohol Abuse – California Sheriff’s Deputy
Drug counts added in OC deputy DUI case – The Modesto Bee modbee.com

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Prosecutors have added doctor-shopping drug counts to the prescription drug driving under the influence case against a now-former Orange County sheriff’s deputy.

Heroin Death – UK
Anthrax linked to heroin user’s death – The Independent

A drug user who was left fighting for life after injecting heroin contaminated with anthrax died today, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

Marijuana – Arizona
Border agents recover $1.3 million in marijuana – azcentral.com

TUCSON – Border Patrol agents working a desert area in southwestern Arizona Sunday recovered 1,700 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1.3 million.

Crack Cocaine – California
87 year old crack dealer Ola Mae Agee jailed – Thaindian News

Los Angeles, Nov 1 (THAINDIAN NEWS) It is often said that old habits die-hard and that might be exactly the case in the case of Ola Mae Agee. At the very advanced age of 87 years Ola has been jailed for a-year-and-a-half for dealing in crack cocaine. Ola was arrested after an undercover cop managed to get the octogenarian to sell him a crack.

Teen Pot & Alcohol Abuse – USA Study
Study: Heavy Alcohol and Pot Use May Damage Teen Brains – Join Together

New research found adolescents who abused marijuana and alcohol scored lower on a battery of intellectual aptitude tests than their drug-free peers, HealthDay News reported Oct. 19.

Drug Sentencing Reform – USA
Reforms of crack sentencing take effect – UPI.com

DENVER, Nov. 1 (UPI) — Federal drug sentencing reforms took effect Monday, but Colorado’s U.S. attorney does not expect dramatic changes.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse – USA
Alcohol Is Most Harmful Drug, Followed By Heroin And Crack – Medical News TODAY

Alcohol is the most damaging drug to the drinker and others overall, heroin and crack are the second and third most harmful, Professor David Nutt and colleagues wrote in the medical journal The Lancet today. When all factors related to self harm and harm to others are considered, alcohol comes out top. The authors explain that drugs, including tobacco products and alcohol are major contributors to damage to individuals as well as society as a whole.

Heroin – Australia
168 kg of heroin seized in Australia – Thaindian News

London, Nov 2 (IANS) Australian authorities have seized 168 kg of heroin, the fifth biggest shipment of the contraband ever to be smuggled into the country, hidden inside a consignment of wooden doors from Malaysia to Sydney, a media report said Monday.

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.

Meth – Iowa
Mom convicted in girl’s death faces meth charges – KWQC-TV Davenport, IA / Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A Cedar Rapids mother who’s been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with her 2-year-old daughter’s death faces new drug charges.

Inhalants – Virginia
Survey suggests more Fairfax County youths are using inhalants – FairfaxTimes.com

Although the number remains small, there was a slight increase in the number of Fairfax County students who said they used inhalants between 2008 and 2009, according to a report released Tuesday.

Alcohol – USA Celebrity
Charlie Sheen Hospitalized After Intoxicated Disturbance in NYC – gather.com

No stranger to infamous problems with the law or drugs and alcohol, Charlie Sheen is in the spotlight once again.  Sheen was reported by TMZ to be drunk and disorderly at the Plaza Hotel in NYC on Tuesday evening following a dinner at a nearby restaurant. While no arrests were made by the NYPD, Sheen was hospitalized and evaluated according to TMZ.

Alcohol Energy Drinks – Washington
‘Four Loko’ Hospitalizes Students, Concern Raises Over Alcohol Energy Drink – The Huffington Post

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Sugary, high-alcohol energy drinks that are popular with college students who want to get drunk quickly and cheaply came under renewed scrutiny Monday as investigators announced that nine freshmen had been hospitalized after drinking them at an off-campus party.

Drug Trafficking – USA Flight Attendant
American Airlines employee charged with drug offences – LaosNews.Net

The US Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration has announced the indictment of an American Airlines employee.

Meth Lab – Washington
Drug Lab Found In Georgetown Dorm – The Huffington Post

WASHINGTON — A dormitory for freshmen at prestigious Georgetown University was evacuated after a suspected meth lab was found in a room.