Drug News

DRUG REHAB – USA
Christie tells why rehab trumps jail – Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Christie says his plan to send more nonviolent drug offenders into treatment rather than to prison is motivated partly by the successes of smaller-scale versions of the program.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse – Medline Plus

Most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. But an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. It is a serious and growing problem. You can develop an addiction to narcotic painkillers, sedatives and tranquilizers, stimulants.

METHAMPHETAMINE – USA
Methamphetamine Use Increasing Again, Researchers Find – University of Texas at Austin News

‎Use of methamphetamines is on the rise nationally after a decrease a few years ago, according to university researchers.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Ohio using stories of those affected in campaign against prescription drug abuse – The Republic

Ohio’s governor is launching a campaign aimed at reducing prescription drug abuse by highlighting the stories of those who have been impacted by addictions.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin makes inroads – Charlotte Observer
‎
“They were 15- and 16-year-olds, and they had heroin at the pool,” he said. “And these are well-off kids in a nice neighborhood. A good environment.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Push to end prescription drug addiction continues in Southwest Florida – Wink News

The battle to end prescription drug abuse in Southwest Florida is ongoing. We’re learning addicts are taking desperate measures to get what they want: even faking illness and going to emergency rooms and making long lines even longer.

ALCOHOL ABUSE – USA
Illinois Alcohol Abuse: Midwest ‘Binge Drinking Belt,’ By The Numbers – Huffington Post

The Atlantic’s Richard Florida on Monday dug into data released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The research showed that binge drinking — or consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more for women on one occasion — continues to be a problem impacting many Americans and contributing to many associated health concerns.

ECSTASY – CANADA
Ecstasy threat real say Nelson police – Nelson Star
‎
A new form of ecstasy sweeping across British Columbia and Alberta has users in critical condition and has even caused death.

DRUG REHAB – USA
Saving lives, and souls, his way: Unconventional minister helps addicts, but stirs controversy – News & Observer

The ministry runs food distributions for the poor, a drug rehab program and transitional housing in Elgin and St. Charles. HELPS gets no government funding …

DRUG TREATMENT – USA
Serial rehab-goer Lindsay Lohan has been released and she’s already back on the roads – Daily Telegraph

Despite the fact that LiLo’s recent spates of jail and drug rehabilitation were down to various driving offences, the Californian powers-that-be have once …

ALCOHOL TREATMENT – UK
Pharmacists trained to recognize alcoholism – Get Bracknell

“I am delighted that Bracknell Forest Council’s drug and alcohol action team is once again providing innovative solutions to alcohol treatment and together …

ALCOHOL TREATMENT – USE
Tax repeal dries up alcohol treatment dollars – Cape Cod Times

Now that it’s been removed, and with the state possibly facing a $2 billion deficit, alcohol-abuse treatment advocates are bracing for a crisis, …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Hawaii hands in half ton of prescription drugs – NECN

Hawaii residents have turned in more than half a ton of prescription drugs in response to program encouraging people to hand in unused, …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Prescription Drug use Doubles in Teens and Young Adults – eMaxHealth

Prescription drug use has doubled among teens and young adults since 1994, found in a new analysis. Researchers warn that higher use of prescription drugs …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Grants to help groups fight prescription abuse by teens – KOAM-TV

The money will be used in Jasper County to educate teens on prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. In Newton County, more programs will teach teens …

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – USA
Students abusing pills to study should be expelled – Daily Sundial

Academic dishonesty is a greater reason for a student to get expelled, and taking these prescription drugs is academic dishonesty. Adderall and Ritalin give …

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.

Marijuana – Texas
Mom nabbed over kid drug dealer – KTEN 10, Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Texas (AP) – A 22-year-old south Texas woman is behind bars after her neighbors reported that her 4-year-old daughter was trying to sell a brick of marijuana.

Prescription Drug Abuse – Australia
We Must Stop Prescription Drug Abuse With Transparency, Australia – Medical News TODAY

The Australian Nursing Federation said the abuse of opiates based prescription drugs is a rising problem in Australia and we need urgent electronic streamlining of health records to stop the abuse.

Drug Trafficking – Saudi Arabia
210 drug traffickers held in Saudi Arabia – Thaindian News

Riyadh, Sep 29 (IANS) Saudi authorities Wednesday said they have arrested 210 drug traffickers, including Indians, in the last three months.

Meth – Mexico to Colorado
Nine indicted in alleged Mexico-Colo meth ring – Colorado connection

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Attorney General’s office says it has indicted nine people suspected of importing as much as 50 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico into Colorado.

Teen Drug & Alcohol Use – Study
Popularity Affects Drug And Alcohol Consumption – Medical News TODAY

The consumption of drugs and alcohol by teenagers is not just about rebellion or emotional troubles. It’s about being one of the cool kids, according to a study by led by researchers at the Universite de Montreal.

Drugs Trafficking to USA – Puerto Rico
DEA: Mailmen in Puerto Rico Shipped Drugs to US – CBSNEWS

7 Postal Workers Indicted on Charges They Shipped Heroin, Cocaine and Marijuana Through the Mail to Texas, Calif. and Ariz.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA Celebrity
Eminem: ‘I hated myself’ – New York Post

Eminem tells The Post how pills took over his life and music

Substance Abuse – USA National Study
National Survey On Drug Use And Health To Be Unveiled In Conjunction With 21st Annual Recovery Month Observance – Medical News TODAY

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will unveil the results of the latest (2009) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) at a press conference on Thursday, September 16. The annual survey is the largest of its kind, and is the government’s primary vehicle for determining how many persons are abusing illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco.

Drug Driving – Celebrity in UK
George Michael could face jail on drug-driving charge – THE INDEPENDENT

Pop singer George Michael could face jail today after he admitted crashing his Range Rover while under the influence of cannabis.

Battling Addiction – Maine
Andy’s Story, Part 1: Craving a high – Cape Cod Times

For Andy, it all started with a sip of Tussinex cough medicine, purloined from his parent’s medicine cabinet at the age of 12.

Habitual Alcohol Consumption – Australia
More than 1 million Aussies drink to “feel normal” – Thaindian News

Sydney, Sept 14 (ANI): A survey has found that while 4 million Australians drink out of habit, about 1.4 million of them drink just to “feel normal”.

Meth Lab Explosion Death – Michigan
Indiana woman dies from suspected meth-lab explosion in Constantine – Mlive.com

CONSTANTINE — A 46-year-old Bristol, Indiana woman died Saturday after suffering burns in a suspected meth lab explosion Friday inside a pole barn on Millers Mill Road, police said.

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.

Drug Addiction – Former Miss USA
Former Miss USA Tara Conner Talks About Her Drug Addiction On “Oprah Winfrey Show” – Thaindian News

Apr 29, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Former Miss USA Tara Conner created quite a buzz on Wednesday night when she appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and gave revealing insights into her addiction to drugs and how it had affected her in more ways than one.

Needle Sharing Leads to Syphilis – USA Study
Sharing needles may play major role in transmission of syphilis – Thaindian News

Washington, April 29 (ANI): A new study has discovered that female sex workers who inject drugs and share needles are at a greater danger of contracting syphilis than those who don’t.

Drug Trafficking – Ohio
Ravennans arrested for trafficking: Face felony charges for heroin, Oxycontin  – recordpub.com

Following a two-month-long investigation, the Portage County Drug Task Force arrested two Ravenna men Monday on drug trafficking charges.

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness – Arizona
Mother talks about son’s tragic drug abuse – Eastern Arizona Courier

Tough love and a drug rehabilitation program couldn’t save the life of Adam Hall, who died eight years ago from an overdose of methadone and vicodin.

Anti-Meth Ad Campaign – New Mexico
Ad campaign targets meth use in Indian Country – FoxNews.com

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials are launching a national advertising campaign aimed at curbing methamphetamine use in American Indian communities.

Heroin Seizure – Africa
Nigerian arrested with 2.5 kg heroin – Thaindian News

Panipat (Haryana), April 29 (IANS) A 26-year-old Nigerian man was arrested in this Haryana town and over 2.5 kg heroin seized from him, police said Thursday.

Methadone – USA
Making a Killing Off of Methadone Clinics – Ezine @rticles

For years now, people have started noticing that methadone may not be all it is cracked up to be. In fact, thousands of people have discovered that methadone addiction is worse than heroin addiction.

Drug Trafficking – USA
Missing child’s cousin sentenced to prison – UPI.com

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 28 (UPI) — A teenage relative of Haleigh Cummings has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in a drug trafficking case involving the missing Florida child’s father.

Alcohol Related Health Risks – Study
One in Three Elderly Drinkers Face High Risk of Harm, Study Finds – Join Together

One-third of American drinkers over age 60 consume excessive amounts of alcohol, are at risk of dangerous interactions between alcohol and medications, or have illnesses that can be exacerbated by drinking, according to researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Prescription Drug Abuse – Study
Gender differences found in risk factors for pain drug abuse – Thaindian News

Washington, April 28 (ANI): A new research has shown that there are distinct gender differences underlying the risks for abuse of prescription pain drugs.

Illegal Drug Bust – Nebraska
Drug Investigation Nabs 12 In North Platte – KETV.com

OMAHA, Neb. — A join operation task force nabbed 12 people in North Platte suspected of distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription drugs.

Marijuana – Georgia
Cops: DUI chase leads to Gwinnett marijuana grow house – ajc

A fleeing DUI suspect led police on Saturday to his Gwinnett County marijuana grow house, authorities said.

Mephedrone Seizure – Scotland
Police seize £500k haul of mephedrone at Glasgow Airport – DailyRecord.co.uk

POLICE have seized a £500,000 haul of the recently-banned drug mephedrone at an airport – the biggest amount captured in Scotland, it emerged today.

Cameron Douglas Drug Sentencing – New York
Michael Douglas’ Son Gets 5 Years – abc NEWS VIDEO

Cameron Douglas, 31, is sentenced for selling cocaine and crystal meth.

Drug Dealing – India
Goan drug dealer’s assets frozen – Thaindian News

Panaji, April 21 (IANS) Goa police has frozen all the assets, including cash, properties and investments, of a notorious drug peddler, a senior police officer said. It is the first time that such action has been taken against a drug peddler.

Opium & Heroin – Afghanistan
High Levels of Opium and Heroin Detected in Very Young Afghan Children – Drug Addiction Treatment

A team of researchers hired by the US State Department has found staggering levels of opium and heroin in Afghan children as young as 14 months. “I think we’ve opened a can of worms,” said Bruce Goldberger, one of the University of Florida scientists heading up the study, who spoke exclusively with Brian Ross for a report airing on World News with Diane Sawyer and Nightline tonight.

Alcohol Abuse – Research Study
Heavy Alcohol Use Linked to Cancer – HealthScout

WEDNESDAY, April 21 (HealthDay News) — Researchers say they’ve gained new insight into a link at the cellular level between alcohol consumption, aging and cancer.

PCP – USA
Driver arrested for driving at 5 mph in a ‘40 mph’ zone – Thaindian News

Farmington, Apr 21 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A driver was arrested in Farmington over the weekend, because he was driving at a speed of 5 mph in a ’40 mph’ zone. The 39 years old Isreal Nieves who belongs to Bloomfield, also had a passenger in the car, who is just 9 years old. When the police arrested Isreal Nieves, then they also found that he had the ‘PCP’ drug in the car.

Prescription Drug Abuse – USA
Hospitalizations for Prescription Drug Abuse on the Rise – Drug Addiction Treatment

Prescription drug poisoning is now the second leading cause of death from injury in the US. A recent study by the Injury Control Research Center in West Virginia showed that hospitalizations for accidental overdoses of painkillers and sedatives rose by one-third from 1999 to 2006.

Drug Arrest – New York
Six Arrested in Three-County Drug Bust – 13 WHAM.COM

Lyons, N.Y. — The Wayne County Narcotics Enforcement Team says that they, along with other law enforcement agencies, have arrested six people and seized “a significant amount of marijuana… along with numerous weapons” as part of a major drug investigation in Wayne, Cayuga and Seneca counties.

Meth & Ecstasy – Michigan
Kent County inmate dies after medical emergency at hospital, prompting investigation – mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS — A man charged with possession of meth and ecstasy died in a Kalamazoo hospital after he was being taken from the Kent County Jail Monday evening, prompting an investigation into the circumstances.

Cocaine – Panama
1.5 tonnes of cocaine seized in Panama – Thaindian News

Panama City, April 14 (IANS/EFE) Three Colombians were arrested and 1.5 tonnes of cocaine was seized from Panama’s Pacific coast, a police official said.

Underage Drinking – USA
AAP Policy Statement: Underage Drinking And Associated Risks – Medical News TODAY

Although the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years, alcohol use by youth continues to be a major problem in the United States. Alcohol consumption can interfere with adolescent brain development, and use of alcohol early in life is associated with future alcohol-related problems.

Methadone – Warning
New Warnings About Methadone Poisoning – Drug Addiction Treatment

The dangers associated with overuse, overdose and unintended deaths due to methadone poisoning have long been known. But recent increases in the numbers of methadone-related deaths have prompted new warnings about methadone poisoning.