Drug News

DRUGS – UK
Last Call for Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Awards – Home Office

Anyone who wishes to nominate a drug treatment team, police officer or volunteer who has gone that extra mile to tackle drugs has just ten days to make their local hero an example for the nation.

METH – ASIA
Methamphetamine usage rising – IRIN

Typically smoked, the potent central nervous system stimulant is highly addictive, causing paranoia, delusions and hallucinations.

DRUGS – USA
NJ Launches Campaign Against Medicine Abuse – Evening Bulletin

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) announced Monday a statewide public service campaign titled “Grandma’s Stash,” to raise awareness that misuse of prescription drugs is second only to marijuana as America’s most prevalent drug problem.

DRUGS – USA
WLPD teams with site to offer free drug tests – Journal and Courier

The urinalysis test recognizes the 10 most common illegal drugs: cocaine, amphetamine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, oxycodone, propoxyphene and MDMA, more commonly known by its street name, ecstasy.

ALCOHOL – UK
BMA Scotland Response To The Scottish Government’s Proposed Strategy To Tackle Alcohol Misuse – Medical News Today

Doctors called for action, not words, to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland.

ALCOHOL – USA
Underage, drunken fans can buy alcohol at stadiums – Dallas Morning News

Actors posing as drunken sports fans successfully bought alcohol from U.S. stadium vendors almost nine out of 10 tries, according to a University of Minnesota study.

ALCOHOL – USA
Even if you look drunk at a game, you can likely keep buying booze – Chicago Tribune

The stadiums and arenas of Chicago have seen untold amounts of alcohol-fueled mayhem, from obscene yelling to savage, bare-knuckle brawls. But according to a study released Wednesday, sports venues could be bringing some of this chaos on themselves.

ALCOHOL – USA
Study Finds Sports Stadiums Serve Alcohol to Intoxicated, Underage Fans – Join Together

An undercover operation conducted as part of research sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Research Program (SAPRP) found that apparently underage and intoxicated fans have a relatively easy time purchasing alcohol at professional sports events.

METH – UK
‘Meth’ adverts to scare US teens – BBC News

Advertisement: An advertising campaign designed to scare teenagers away from using the drug ‘meth’ has been launched in the US.

METH – UK
Montana meth ads winning drug battle – BBC News

They call Montana “Big Sky Country” or “The Last Best Place” – and it is easy to see why with its wide open spaces, majestic mountains and meandering rivers. But there is a far less wholesome side to this wilderness, a problem more associated with grim urban despair – drugs.

ALCOHOL – USA
Advocates Win Delay on Md. Alcopops Bill – Join Together

After meeting with MADD officials and parents, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley backed off plans to sign a bill that would have allowed so-called alcopop drinks to continue to be taxed at the same rate as beer.

DRUGS – USA
Drugs Seized in Improper Arrest Can Still Lead to Conviction, Supreme Court Says – Join Together

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that criminal charges arising out of a police search during an arrest can stand even if the arrest was later shown to be improper.

DRUGS – USA
Tazewell Hosts Anti-Drug March and Rally – WVNS TV News

Hundreds filled the streets in Tazewell County Saturday. They hoped to put a halt to what some call an increasing drug problem in the area. It was all part of the first Christians and Concerned Citizens for a Drug Free Tazewell County Anti-drug march and rally.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Crime and Justice Forum – Kitsap Sun

Some very brave souls agreed to be interviewed in Sunday’s story about the rise of prescription opiate drugs. Some of their accounts are in the story, while others, due to space constraints, were not.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Consumers Union Awarded Grant for Prescription Drug Awareness Program – EVLiving

Attorneys General from around the country announced a $4.4 million grant to Consumers Union that will fund a public education program designed to eliminate huge gaps in public knowledge about prescription drugs.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
State pursues funds to educate kids about abuse of prescription drugs – The Salt Lake Tribune

“Who knows what Percocet is?” said Agent Randy Lythgoe, of the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force, polling a group of 70 students. Hands shot up across the crowd as pre-teens easily identified the painkiller.
PRESCRIPTION – USA
More teens addicted to prescription drugs – The Columbia Dispatch

OxyContin ruled Jennifer’s days. She crushed and snorted the painkiller when she woke up, before she left for high school, during school, at home at night, before bed.

ALCOHOL – USA
Anita Bruzzese: Preventing alcohol addiction – Asbury Park Press
It’s not that we think they’re alcoholics, but we are aware that there could be a problem. And that’s where a little education can go a long way to making sure these little problems don’t become full-scale disasters that ruin professional and personal lives, says one expert.

ALCOHOL – USA
Students say there’s lots to do without alcohol – Lawrence Journal World

The juniors and seniors who volunteered received training and also recently made presentations to classes at West Junior High School. They plan to visit the three other junior high schools before the end of the school year. Next year, advisers hope students can make presentations to other high school students.

METH – USA
Crystal meth awareness campaign comes to Arizona – ASU Web Devil

Bleach and drain cleaner, aren’t just for household cleaning anymore. They can be used as ingredients, along with battery acid, brake fluid and many other harmful chemicals, in one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs.

METH – USA
First Moms Off Meth national conference coming to Bridge View Center Friday – Ottumwa Courier

It started in Ottumwa, so it seems fitting that the first Moms Off Meth national conference will take place here, too.

METH – USA
Conference aims to pierce the darkness of meth use – Eastern Arizona Courier

Methamphetamine, often called crystal meth, is a drug that can plunge its users into a dark, bottomless cesspool of illness and despair.

DRUGS – CANADA
Navy test reveals use of cocaine, marijuana – The Province

A surprise drug test done in December indicates that six per cent of Maritime Forces Pacific members are using illegal drugs, the navy says.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Oregon is No. 1 in legal drug abuse – Mail Tribune

Oregonians lead the nation in the abuse of prescription and over the counter drugs and are showing up at Asante’s chemical recovery center in much larger numbers than users of meth, cocaine and heroin combined. Teens are helping expand that toll.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin use among young ‘rising’ – BBC News

Heroin is rapidly becoming the drug of choice for young people and the children as young as six have used it, drug workers in south Wales have said.

HEROIN – USA
Cheap heroin hooks a wider population – Atlanta Journal Constitution

The cause of Georgia Tech baseball player Michael Hutts’ death hasn’t been determined, but the mention of heroin in the police report on his death was a reminder that abuse of the addictive drug is on the rise.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Teen prescription drug abuse a growing trend – Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

Sandi Delack has encountered middle school students who’ve taken their parents’ prescription medications in order to get high. Delack is a Rhode Island school nurse and president-elect of the National Association of School Nurses.

ALCOHOL – USA
Forum addresses alcohol abuse as ‘societal problem’ – The Reporter
That’s the message local officials were hoping to drive home during a public forum titled “Responsible Drinking or Dead Drunk — It’s Your Choice.” The forum was held Thursday night in the Legislative Chambers of the City County Government Center.

ALCOHOL – USA
Being aware during Alcohol Awareness Month – Santa Cruz Sentinel

In 2006, 43,000 Californians sought publicly funded treatment for alcohol addiction, including vulnerable populations like seniors and youth. But, recent studies show that more than 2.2 million people in our state meet the criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Bradley greeks step up for alcohol awareness – Peoria Journal Star

In light of recent alcohol-related deaths on Bradley University’s campus, the school’s fraternities and sororities are stepping up their alcohol awareness program.

ALCOHOL – USA
Youth learn of alcohol’s perils – 2 The Advocate

Tracy Mitchell prepared no script for the message she planned to deliver to the audience of teenagers attending the alcohol awareness concert at LSU on Saturday.

ALCOHOL – USA
Boozy Betty: a warning of the effects of alcohol – Sunday Herald

A prevailing image of students has tended to be that of the Boozy Betty is no different. She’s out drinking kind. hard-drinking with friends into the wee hours, she can’t remember how she got home and her grades are beginning to suffer as a result.

METH – USA
Auditions Held for Anti-Meth Commercial Campaign – KNDO News

Actors of all ages came out in Yakima today to audition for a new county wide commercial campaign. A local production company along with Citizens for Safe Yakima Valley Communities is looking for actors for their upcoming “Meth-Lied” campaign.

METH – USA
A thanks to media on meth program – Arizona Republic

On behalf of the Arizona affiliate of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, I thank the Arizona media for their participation and support of the recent Crystal Darkness program.

ADDICTION – INDIA
Painting Exhibition on Alcohol and Drugs De-addiction on Apr 20 – Daiji World

An awareness programme is being organized on ‘Alcohol and drugs de-addiction’ by Janajagruthi Vedike at SDM Law college here today, Sunday April 20.

METHADONE – USA
Methadone deaths are rising in New England; police get tough – The Associated Press

Nationwide, methadone deaths are increasing at a faster rate than any other drug-related deaths, the National Center for Health Statistics reported in February.

METH – USA
Tribe fights meth with ad campaign – Sioux City Journal

Residents here are tackling methamphetamine addiction over the airwaves and on the street with a new ad campaign.

ADDERALL – USA
Adderall Alert – Trans World News

Studying for finals? Need to stay up late to get that last study cram in? If you are like many students in college campuses today, you will get a little help: Adderall.

DRUGS – USA
Facts on Rohypnol- The “Date-Rape” Drug – Trans World News

Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia reports that recent seizures and anecdotal reporting indicate that distribution and abuse of flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol, are increasing domestically, especially in southern and southwestern States.

HEROIN – UK
Police warning over high strength heroin – MK News

Drug users have been alerted by police that heroin of a dangerously high purity could be on the market in Milton Keynes.

ADDICTION – CANADA
Presentation Sunday night focuses on freedom from drug addiction – Northumberland Today

The Teen Challenge Outreach Team from Toronto will present a program focusing on freedom from drug addiction this Sunday, April 20.

ADDICTION – USA
Winnebago Tribe ad campaign targets meth addiction – Sioux City Journal

Residents here will be tackling meth addiction over the airwaves and on the street with a new ad campaign.
ALCOHOL –USA
Survey: 40 Percent Of Rogers High Students Consume Alcohol – Springdale Morning News

About 40 percent of Rogers High School seniors got alcohol from someone age 21 or older, according to the Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, given to students in November.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Price rise in mix to deter kids – Herald Sun News

THE price of pre-mixed spirit drinks favoured by teenagers is set to rise in a bid by the Rudd Government to fight youth binge-drinking.

METH – USA
Crystal Methaphetamine documentary showed the ruined lives and addicting lifestyle of the drug – Rio Rancho Observer

Thousands of people across New Mexico learned about the dangers of crystal methamphetamine on Thursday as “Crystal Darkness” aired on five Albuquerque-area television stations.

METH – UK
Web Watcher: Supercuts; Crystal Meth – Just Say No; American Furry – Times Online

Crystal meth – the drug best-known for severely rotting users’ teeth – has more users worldwide than heroin, experts say. In America, the anti-meth campaign has launched a series of ads.

METH – USA
Senate committee approves electronic meth tracking system – News-Leader

A Senate committee Tuesday approved legislation to create a statewide electronic tracking system to monitor the sale of psuedoephedrine — a key ingredient for producing the drug methamphetamine.

METH – USA
Crystal Meth Documentary Set To Air – KPHO TV News

A former drug addict who didn’t want his last named used is sharing his story about the dangers of crystal methamphetamine ahead of a documentary about the drug airing across Arizona.

METH – USA
Crystal Meth Documentary Airs Across Arizona – KTAR News

The war against drugs continues and you can be part of the battle tonight when News/Talk 92-3 KTAR and every television station in the state broadcast the documentary, “Crystal Darkness.”

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcopops Market Spikes in Australia – Join Together

Availability of high alcohol pre-mixed drinks is rising faster than any other alcohol beverage in Australia, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Australian reported April 15.

METH – USA
County’s anti-meth initiative receives $280,000 federal grant – Newport News Times

Lincoln County has just received confirmation that it will be receiving a $280,000 grant to help support and expand its Lincoln County Meth Initiative.

DRUGS – USA
The home medicine cabinet: Teens’ new ‘supplier’ – Kansas City Star

Some call them Generation Rx. Since grade school, they’ve been taught by DARE officers to say no to alcohol, marijuana and other illegal drugs. But the message about prescription drug abuse hasn’t been as loud.

ALCOHOL – UK
EU says alcohol industry must not target youth – Reuters

The European Union’s health chief urged the alcohol industry on Wednesday to avoid targeting children and young people in their marketing campaigns to reduce the numbers of alcohol-related deaths.

ALCOHOL – UK
Drinking accelerates onset of Alzheimer’s – Telegraph

People who have more than two alcoholic drinks a day develop Alzheimer’s disease five years earlier than those who do not drink, a comprehensive study linking the condition to lifestyle has found.

ALCOHOL – NEW ZEALAND
Fear of binge-drinking violence blights life across ditch – New Zealand Herald

Almost one in five had suffered alcohol-related violence, or had a friend or relative who had, the poll found

ALCOHOL – USA
Moderate Drinking Increases Breast Cancer Risk – Join Together

Even moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of a common form of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 annual meeting in San Diego.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
User Registry for Prescription Painkiller Abuse – Join Together

New research suggests that stricter monitoring by physician offices and clinics, including user testing, implementation of a user registry, and stronger staff training, can help prevent the abuse of prescription painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin.

DRUGS – USA
Major League Baseball Strengthens Drug Testing – Join Together

In an effort to move beyond the era of steroid abuse, Major League Baseball announced a revised drug testing agreement calling for an additional 600 drug tests during the baseball season.

METH – USA
Customs reports increase in methamphetamine ingredient – Radio New Zealand

Customs officials say there has been a big increase in the amount of an illegal drug used to make methamphetamine coming into New Zealand.

ALCOHOL – USA
Review study: Alcohol raises breast cancer risk – Food Consumer
A study we reported yesterday suggested that intake of even a small amount of alcohol per day increases the risk of invasive breast cancer.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities Rise during Prom and Graduation Season – Trans World News

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data from its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) showing that alcohol-related fatalities increase between the middle of April and the middle of June. What’s significant about these time periods? It happens to be when teenagers tend to do a lot of partying, namely prom and graduation.

ALCOHOL – UK
Kentucky latest state to prohibit alcohol vaporizers – The Associated Press

The state that claims to produce the world’s best bourbon has banned at least one way to consume it: vaporized for easy inhalation.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer – Associated Content

New research presented here (San Diego, California) at the 2008 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting is showing that alcohol consumption is related to an increase in the risk of breast cancer. In addition, this presentation is showing the connection between diet and risk of breast cancer.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol May Raise Breast Cancer Risk – CBS News

Even a drink or two a day of alcohol may raise the risk of the most common type of breast tumors-those fueled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone, according to one of the largest studies if its kind.

METHADONE – USA
Methadone Blamed for Rising Drug Poisoning Deaths – Join Together

Overdoses of methadone prescribed as a pain medication are the biggest reason for a spike in poisoning deaths in the U.S.

ALCOHOL – USA
Town hall meeting to discuss alcohol’s impact on community – Oshkosh Northwestern

Alcohol consumption and the impact drinking has on the community will take center stage during a town hall meeting this week.

ALCOHOL – USA
Anti-alcohol efforts aim to keep prom night safe – Holland Sentinel

A new Ottawa County effort will resume in the next week to combat underage drinking during the prom season.

ALCOHOL – USA
Teen drinking Youth alcohol abuse still a major concern – Laconia Citizen

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and the forum David attended is but one of nearly 20 similar forums and town hall meetings being held across New Hampshire and in the Lakes Region.

METH – USA
Anti-meth project ad contest open to area students – Mail Tribune

The Southern Oregon Meth Project, Charter Communications and KOBI-TV have joined to create a public service announcement contest open to all high school and college/university students in Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties to highlight the dangers of methamphetamine use.

ALCOHOL – USA
Forum tackles alcohol abuse – Times Argus

The highest rate of alcohol dependence in the United States is found among 18- to 20-year-olds, according to “The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.”

ALCOHOL – USA
Lower boaters’ alcohol levels – News-Leader

The Senate endorsed legislation Tuesday that would lower the blood-alcohol content level at which boaters are presumed to be drunk to 0.08 percent instead of the current 0.10 percent. The House endorsed a similar provision the night before.

HEROIN – USA
Heroin replacing cocaine in popularity, tests show – Examiner

Nearly a decade ago, employees failed drug tests due to marijuana or cocaine use. Today researchers have found that marijuana continues to be the dominant reason why employees fail drug tests but heroin appears to be replacing cocaine as the second-most popular drug.

MORPHINE – USA
Oxycontin linked to national wave of pharmacy robberies – Folsom Telegraph

Crushed up and shot up, Oxycontin works for junkies, and unlike its sister morphine or its big brother heroin, it can be stolen with about the same moxie as required to snag a suitcase of suds from 7-11.

DRUGS – UK
Drugs Of Destruction And Human Rights – Medical News Today

Drugs of Destruction are defined here as, any addictive substance, whose properties are known to bring about disturbing and irreversible changes to the users brain, resulting in loss of control.

COCAINE – CANADA
Casual cocaine use can damage heart, doctors warn – CTV

Many side effects are associated with cocaine use. But one under-reported consequence is the effect on the user’s heart.

METH – USA
Film looks at effect of meth on children – Albany Democrat Herald

Plenty of news stories and documentaries have shown the dramatic effects of methamphetamine use on adults, but Marsha Swanson wants to emphasize the devastating results to children of meth-addicted parents. Abuse, neglect and endangerment are just some of the things children face in homes where one or both parents take meth.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
One in three says alcohol not a drug – Melbourne Herald Sun

A THIRD of adults do not consider alcohol to be a drug, according to a study by the Australian National Council on Drugs.

ALCOHOL – MIRONESIA
April is Alcohol Awareness Month – Marianas Variety

President Remengesau declared April as Alcohol Awareness Month. Remengesau during his weekly press conference Wednesday signed presidential proclamation No. 08-02 urged the community to take part in the observance and activities designed to advance the cause of prevention and control of alcohol use and abuse.

METH – SWEDEN
Montana AG McGrath: Meth Follow-Up Report Shows Change in Teens’ Behavior – All American Patriots

Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath released a report Monday that demonstrates the state continues to make progress against the use of methamphetamine.

ALCOHOL – USA
When alcohol use is alcohol abuse – The Heights

It’s time to acknowledge the alcohol problem that students have observed for a long time and take positive steps toward changing it. Whether we want to admit it or not, BC has a higher-than-average rate of alcohol misuse, according to statistics from AlcoholEdu.

ALCOHOL – UK
Campaign launched to tackle alcohol abuse – Lancashire Evening Telegraph

FIVE boroughs are to work together to tackle alcohol abuse, as figures revealed that one in five residents binge drink.

ALCOHOL – USA
Celebrate Alcohol Awareness Month – The Bridgeton News

The Cumberland County Childhood Drinking Coalition, a project of The Southwest Council, Inc., will mark Alcohol Awareness Month on Tuesday, April 22, by holding its annual celebration at the Luciano Conference Center at Cumberland County College, beginning at 5:30.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Abuse Brings Increased Attention on Drug Rehab – WebWire

There has recently been increased attention in the media regarding prescription drug abuse. In many ways this has been brought about by stories of celebrity abuse of prescription drugs.

METH – USA
Officials press for tougher anti-meth legislation – News-Leader

Three years ago, Missouri took a big step toward cracking down on methamphetamine producers by requiring buyers of over-the-counter cold medicine to show identification and sign a form.

PRESCRIPTION – UK
Early Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use – Join Together

Persons who begin using prescription drugs non-medically at an early age are more likely to be diagnosed with lifetime prescription drug abuse and dependence, according to an analysis of data from a national household survey.

DRUGS – UK
Date rape drug test breakthrough – Financial Times

Date rape drug crimes are notoriously hard to prove, but a new test developed in the UK holds out the prospect that law enforcement officers will have a powerful new tool for tracing sex offenders who use the date rape drug gammahydroxybutrate.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
GenRx: Young adults looking to medicine cabinets for their high – Quad-Cities Online

Parents worry about their kids drinking and smoking pot, but the latest reality-altering trend comes from a medicine cabinet, not a liquor store or drug dealer.

CODEINE – USA
Cough syrup complications – Argus Leader

If you have a cold with a cough, don’t expect to fill your preferred cough syrup prescription. Some have been pulled from the market, and others are in short supply. The Food and Drug Administration has forbidden the manufacture and sale of certain products containing hydrocodone, a derivative of codeine.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Death by Rx – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Substance-abuse-related deaths are increasing at an alarming rate in Florida. The even bigger concern, though, is that so many of them are linked to prescription drugs.