Nov 3 Drug Headlines

CANNABIS - SPAIN
More cannabis used in Malaga than in any other province - SUR in English
Whether as marihuana or hashish, the people of Malaga are the Andalusians who use most cannabis on a regular basis, this being defined as those who have used it in the past six months. Addiction to the drug has doubled in the province over the past decade. Only 5.6 per cent of the population used it regularly in 1994 and now the figure has risen to 11.2 per cent.
2006, November 3

CANNABIS - US, CA
State marijuana seizures hit all-time high - Chico ER
The California Department of Justice said its Campaign Against Marijuana Planting resulted in the eradication of nearly 1.7 million plants this season. The number reflects the seizure of pot plants in 34 California counties, and is up more than 500,000 plants over last year.
2006, November 3

HEROIN - US, TENNESSEE
Heroin use above the national average among Knox County high school students - WBIR
It's highly addictive -- it can kill -- yet more and more young people in East Tennessee are using heroin. Consider these numbers: In the US 2.4% of high schoolers say they've taken heroin. In Tennessee 1.8%
2006, November 3

PRESCRIPTION - US
Cough syrups, painkillers, analgesics... kids hooked on medicine highs - LUdhiana Newsline
The menace of drug addiction is increasing among the city’s schoolchildren. Many 10-15-yr-olds are in its grip. While smoking was nothing new, the latest craze is cough syrup, drugs like Proxyvon, Parbanspas and capasules of Opiate Analagesic, say the city’s medical practitioners.
2006, November 3

METH - US
Meth users are finding ways around new laws, forum told - STL Today
Despite new laws limiting access to a key ingredient in methamphetamine, the drug remains a serious problem in Jefferson County, speakers at a forum on meth abuse said this week. A large part of the problem is that methamphetamine is so extremely addictive, they said.
2006, November 3

OPIATE - US, MAINE
Acadia Hospital Launches Campaign To Combat Opiate Addiction - WCSH 6
According to Acadia Hospital, Maine is among the states with the highest rate of opiate addiction in the country. On Thursday, the hospital launched a campaign to target the problem.
2006, November 2

PRESCRIPTION - US
Med students get crash course in drug pitches - CNN
Medical schools in several states are boosting programs that teach doctors and students to challenge the sales pitches of drug companies and avoid being dazzled by them.
2006, November 3

ALCOHOL - US
New Evidence On Why Alcohol Consumption Is A Risk Factor For Cancer - Medical News Today
Why is alcohol consumption a risk factor for cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus? Scientists long have suspected that the culprit is acetaldehyde, a compound produced as the body breaks down the alcohol in beer, wine and hard liquor.
2006, November 3

COCAINE - UK
Colombian women appeal to conscience of cocaine users - Guardian Unlimited
Five Colombian women who have survived kidnapping, bombs and landmines have come to Britain to tell cocaine users that they are helping to fuel violence and death in Colombia. The aim is to prick the conscience of the west by highlighting the side-effects of the cocaine trade.
2006, November 3

PRESCRIPTION - US
Prescription Addiction Haunts Millions - KETV
Prescription drug addiction has been called an epidemic, and a recent study showed that more than 15 million Americans admitted abusing prescription drugs -- doubling over a decade.
2006, November 3

GENERAL - US
Piperazines - what to do with an emerging 'legal high'?
The piperazines are a 'family' of drugs with similar chemical structures. Some amongst this group of drugs are used medically (including famously, Viagra) and others, are in an as-yet unclassified legal wilderness and have found a market on the (annoyingly named) 'legal high' recreational drugs scene for their stimulant effect, similar to amphetamines or ecstasy, although of lower potency.
2006, November 3