Nov 13 Drug Headlines

Updated Articles

PAINKILLER - US
Prolonging Painkillers - Science Mag
Morphine and other opiates dull pain, but they don't stick around for long. Almost immediately, a class of enzymes known as peptidases burst onto the scene and degrade these painkillers. Now researchers have identified a naturally occurring molecule in humans that blocks this process, prolonging the effect of opiates. The findings, say the researchers, may lead to new ways to combat pain.

PAINKILLER - US
Natural-born painkiller found in human saliva
Saliva from humans has yielded a natural painkiller up to six times more powerful than morphine, researchers say. The substance, dubbed opiorphin, may spawn a new generation of natural painkillers that relieve pain as well as morphine but without the addictive and psychological side effects of the traditional drug.

Original Aricles

GENERAL - US
Class Drug Swabs - Schools Eye Wipe Kit - New York Post
A handful of schools in the tri-state area are hoping to wipe out drugs with one quick swipe.

GENERAL - AUSTRALIA
Survey to examine drug driving - The Age
Australian attitudes towards driving after using illegal drugs will be assessed in the biggest survey yet on the growing offence. The Australian Drug Foundation launched the online survey in an attempt to better understand the attitudes of both users and non-users.

METHADONE - US
Methadone, the quiet killer -- Part 2 - Wood TV
"How to" labels on prescription methadone could pose a danger to patients as West Michigan sees an increased number of accidental overdose deaths.

COCAINE - US
Take another crack at that cocaine law - LA Times
One of our most infamous contemporary laws is the 100-1 difference in sentencing between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Under federal drug laws, prison sentences are usually tied to the quantity of drugs the defendant trafficked. For example, selling 5,000 grams of powder cocaine (about a briefcase full) gets a mandatory 10-year prison sentence, but so does selling only 50 grams of crack cocaine (the weight of a candy bar).

ALCOHOL - RUSSIA
Russia Staggered by Alcohol Problems - Join Together
Alcoholism is having a profound effect on Russia, where more than 42,000 people die each year from drinking bootleg alcohol and heavy drinking has pushed the average life expectancy down to 66, well below that of the neighboring European Union.

PRESCRIPTION & ALCOHOL - US
Prescription Drug Misuse More Common in Drinkers - Join Together
Few studies have examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD). To characterize this relationship, researchers analyzed data from 43,093 adults who had participated in a national survey on alcohol and related conditions.

HEROIN - US
Police investigating rash of heroin deaths, nonfatal overdoses - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police continue to investigate a rash of possible heroin deaths and some nonfatal overdoses in the city during the past week. Pittsburgh police and the Allegheny County medical examiner's office yesterday were investigating the death of a man at an apartment building, Downtown, Saturday night.

MARIJUANA - CANADA
Dazed & Confused: Problematic Marijuana Use Among Teens - Ottawa Start
In recognition of National Drug & Addictions Awareness Week, November 19-25, 2006, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), will host a forum, entitled, "Dazed and Confused: Problematic Marijuana Use Among Teens."