May 31st Drug Addiction News

CANNABIS – UK
Cannabis farms being 'priced out' – BBC News
London's housing market is slowing the growth of new cannabis factories in the city, according to a new report.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol In Hand Sanitizer Can Mean Danger – WESH News
Snopes.com, a site that specializes in dispelling urban legends, confirmed two cases of severe alcohol poisoning from children drinking hand sanitizer.

ALCOHOL – USA
Drink-drive death toll of young on rise – Guardian Unlimited
The number of young motorists involved in accidents while under the influence of alcohol is increasing despite high profile anti-drink-drive publicity campaigns.

DRUGS – USA
More than 10 percent of U.S. adults abuse drugs – MSNBC News
More than 10 percent of U.S. adults abuse or become addicted to drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines at some point in their lives, but few get treatment.

DRUGS – SAUDI ARABIA
Strategy to Combat Drugs on the Anvil – Arab News
The 150-member consultative Shoura Council will soon pass a national strategy to combat drugs and narcotics amid reports that about 150,000 young Saudi men and women use various types of drugs.

METHADONE – UK
HORROR AS DEADLY DRUGS FOUND IN STREET – Paisley Daily Express
Horrified parents hit out yesterday after a bottle of methadone was discovered lying in a busy street where their kids play.

METH – USA
County Meth Task Force gets award – Shakopee Valley News
The Scott County Meth Task Force was honored on May 23 by the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) with an award of merit for its work to educate citizens on the dangers of methamphetamine use and manufacture.


METH – USA
Children are meth victims – Daily Advocate
According to Whittaker, drug-endangered children are exposed to hazardous chemicals, stored in the same area where they eat and play.

COCAINE – IRELAND
Warning on cocaine abuse in NI – UTV Live
While many people believe cocaine to be a relatively harmless drug - doctors are warning that is not the case. In fact cocaine use can lead to heart attacks, strokes, seizures and can also trigger mental illness.

PAINKILLERS – USA
HealthFirst-Painkiller lollipops – ABC News
The sweet treats are actually powerful pain medicine that is designed to help cancer patients cope with chemotherapy. However, people who don't need them are abusing them often with deadly consequences.

May 30th Drug Addiction News

DRUGS – CANADA
Drug use climbing – Osprey Media
Prescription drug addiction can happen to anybody. Without the proper information and monitoring, it is very easy for someone to become dependent on medications such as opiates, benzodiazepines and stimulants.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Teen alcohol forum to focus on parents – The Geelong Advertiser
VICTORIAN Children's Minister Lisa Neville hopes a forum at Lara tonight will encourage parents to take more responsibility for tackling teen alcohol abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Study Finds Parents Give Kids First Taste of Alcohol –
The study claims the primary source of alcohol is parents, but Hearst says it’s not exactly kids taking alcohol from home.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Generation Rx: How Prescription Drugs are Altering American Lives, Minds, and Bodies – Psychiatric Services
In Generation Rx, Greg Critser reviews changes in the pharmaceutical industry, changes in Americans' relationship to their medicines, and even changes in the concept of illness—defining illnesses by the medicines that treat them.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Deadly Prescription Drug Effects Six Years Before FDA – HULIQ
They swoop in to investigate early signs of trouble years before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes notice.

METH – USA
More grants to battle meth epidemic – Daily Review Atlas
Businesses that sell anhydrous ammonia continue to be a target of drug dealers who manufacture methamphetamine.

May 29th Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
DEA teaches meth-cooking 101 – The Denver Post
The class was held as part of the DEA's first Citizens Academy in order to give the public a close-up view of what the agency does to keep drugs off the street.

MARIJUANA – USA
Ice Cream Truck Sells $5 & $10 Bags Of Marijuana To Kids – The Post Chronicle
Marijuana "treats" sold by ice cream truck in Texas? Police say the jingle of this particular ice cream truck signaled the arrival of "pot-sickles."

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Labels Get Detailed in Britain – The Washington Post
Beer, wine and hard liquor packaging in Britain will carry warning labels next year detailing how many units of alcohol each drink contains as well as recommended safe drinking levels.

ALCOHOL – USA
Study: Big allowances tied to teen alcohol abuse – MSNBC News
Teenagers with large allowances may be more likely to become problem drinkers, research conducted in the UK hints.

TRANQUILIZER – UK
Tranquilizers use increases in North West – Belfast Telegraph
Almost 140,000 prescriptions for tranquilisers were issued by doctors in the Western Health and Social Services Board area last year. The number of benzodiazepine sedatives prescribed to local people rose to its highest level in four years.

ALCOHOL – UK
Binge drinking 'doubles breast cancer threat' – The Telegraph
The statistics will be alarming to the many thousands of British women who are increasingly binge drinking at weekends.

DRUGS – AFGANISTAN
A Country Seen as a Drugs Factory – e-Ariana News
European parents concerned about their children having access to lethal drugs may have good reason to fear that crops cultivated in Afghanistan can end up too close to home for their comfort.

ALCOHOL – UK
Someone tell the alcocops where to put their labels – Times online
Labels will spell out how many units of alcohol the drink contains, official guidelines about how much (ie, little) to drink, and “advice” such as “Drink responsibly” and “Know your limits”.

ALCOHOL – UK
Drink firms wary of health labels on alcohol – The Telegraph
However, while most in the industry support the principle of better labeling, many have reservations about what to put on their bottles and object to being forced to follow a Government template.

May 28th Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
Candy-flavored meth has some concerned – Chillicothe Gazette
School and law enforcement officials are sounding an alarm for teachers and parents that a pink, strawberry-flavored variety of crystal methamphetamine could wind up in area schools.

COCAINE – IRELAND
Why the US is losing its war on cocaine – Irish Independent
America has spent billions battling the drug industry in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru. And the result? Production as high as ever, street prices at a low, and the governments of the region in open revolt.

ADDICTION – USA
Hollywood's problem with addiction – LA Times
HBO's Chris Albrecht is just the latest to crash. The industry tends to let addictions slide and then feign surprise when someone falls.

METH – USA
Meth film provides a warning — and hope – The Desert News
People hear the rumors about meth. Justin Hunt is determined to show them the reality. Hunt is the independent filmmaker behind the feature-length documentary "American Meth," which he's currently touring around the western United States. The movie will be shown free to the public.

METH – USA
Officials concerned colorful meth could be seen as candy – Coshocton Tribune
School and law enforcement officials are sounding an alarm for teachers and parents that a pink, strawberry-flavored variety of crystal methamphetamine could wind up in area schools.

ALCOHOL – USA
Bracelet that senses alcohol use gaining acceptance – KSWO News
A bracelet that senses when its wearer uses alcohol is being used more by courts in cases involving someone with a drinking problem.

OPIUM – PAKISTAN
Smash our trade in opium, Afghans tell British – Pak Tribune
The Afghan government has demanded that British troops destroy the opium trade in the country after a record poppy harvest that threatens to flood Europe with cheap, high-purity heroin.

ALCOHOL – UK
Drinks to carry alcohol limit warnings – The Telegraph
Alcoholic drinks are to carry health warnings similar to those on cigarette packets from the end of next year.

May 27th Drug Addiction News

CANNABIS – UK
Dangers of smoking cannabis highlighted by students – 24dash.com
Young people in Kensington and Chelsea have been highlighting the dangers of smoking marijuana by taking part in the Cannabis Action Group’s Media Challenge.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Concerns – WSLS News
When you're taking a prescription, you probably expect that it's been tested to treat your condition--and that the Food and Drug Administration has approved it for that use. But you could be mistaken.
alcohol
OPIUM – UK
Smash our trade in opium, Afghans tell British – The Telegraph
The Afghan government has demanded that British troops destroy the opium trade in the country after a record poppy harvest that threatens to flood Europe with cheap, high-purity heroin.

ALCOHOL – USA
Troubling trends: Survey shows alcohol, drug use at L-S – Lincoln Journal
A recent survey on risky behaviors shows that alcohol and drug use is common among Lincoln-Sudbury students. Nearly a quarter of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School students reported binge drinking in the last 30 days.

METH –
Asian regional control of amphetamines needed, says UN anti-drug chief – UN News Centre
With Asia driving the global market for methamphetamine, the continent needs regional control of synthetic drugs to safeguard decades of hard-won progress against illicit substances.

OPIUM – United Arab Emirates
G8 wants Iran help for Afghan opium fight – The Khaleej Times
The G8 industrial nations are concerned about the rise of opium production in Afghanistan and want to enlist Iran and other neighboring countries to crush trafficking of the drug.

METH – USA
$5.6 Million in Anti-meth Funding for Missouri – Kansas City infoZone
The grants and tough anti-meth legislation signed by the governor in 2005 will help with Missouri's ongoing efforts to combat meth and eliminate dangerous lab operations across the state.

METH – USA
Police say new kind of meth headed East – WAVY News
Virginia State Police are warning troopers about a new form of methamphetamine that is spreading across the country toward Virginia.

ADDICTION – USA
Dad's addiction inspires boy's mission – Orlando Sentinel
Winning a D.A.R.E. essay contest normally doesn't garner widespread attention, but John's account of how addiction can cripple a family nearly brought Lake School Board members and others to tears Monday night as he read his composition during a public meeting.

DRUGS – UK
New sponsors save drugs charity – BBC News
A pioneering Nottinghamshire drugs awareness charity which faced serious financial problems has been saved.

ALCOHOL – UK
Steady rise in deaths from heavy drinking – Times Online
A steady rise in long-term heavy drinking has led to a doubling of alcohol-related deaths among men over the past decade, according to official figures.

DRUGS – UK
New era, new trend in drugs – Edinburgh Evening News
We are in a period of great change - new government, new council, and when it comes to alcohol and drugs - new problems.

METH – USA
Officials concerned drug could be seen as candy – WTOL News
School and law enforcement officials are sounding an alarm for teachers and parents that a pink, strawberry-flavored variety of crystal methamphetamine could wind up in area schools.

May 25th Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
Children targeted with new meth – The Daily Journal
A new form of crystallized methamphetamine, nicknamed “Strawberry Quick,” has been developed and is being targeted to children. It looks like the pop rocks candy that sizzles in the mouth, and is a dark pink color with a strawberry scent.

DRUGS – PAKISTAN
Iran, like the West, has a drugs problem – Daily Times
Iran shares a 900-km border with Afghanistan, the world's number one producer of the opium poppy which is the key ingredient for heroin.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Addict's Message – Channel 9 WSYR News
Drug treatment centers across in the Syracuse area are reporting a huge increase in the number of teens they're seeing who are addicted to prescription painkillers. We sat down with one recovering addict who has a message for teens and adults alike.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol-related deaths for men doubled in 12 years – The Independent
The number of alcohol-related deaths that could have been prevented has more than doubled in men since 1993, figures show.

ALCOHOL – USA
Workplace Drinking Culture Influences Alcohol Intake Elsewhere – Medical News Today
A restrictive drinking culture at work curbs an individual's overall alcohol intake, including outside of work, suggests research published ahead of print in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
District judge alerts consumers to misuse of drugs – Pittsburgh Leader Times
DeComo, a leading activist for drug and alcohol prevention in Armstrong County, was unaware that there was a growing problem with the abuse of prescription pain relievers such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet and pain patches.

DRUGS – USA
Crime And Punishment – Hartford Advocate
Honestly, people how many times do we have to say it. If you’re going to drive while on drugs or if you have drugs in your car, drive safely and slowly, lest you risk not only getting arrested but this column’s detached ironic amusement.

ALCOHOL – USA
Help teenagers get over fool's hill – News Leader
This is a little about me and a lot about our kids. Please know this is not about our differences but about a real issue that confronts many of us living in Nassau County with regard to our teenagers.

May 24th Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
Key anti-methamphetamine bill dies in the Nevada Assembly – Nevada Appeal
Appeals to consider Nevada's overburdened prisons, public safety and drug treatment systems and the torment for families of methamphetamine addicts weren't enough to persuade most Assembly Republicans to vote Tuesday for a key anti-meth bill.

COCAINE – UK
Cocaine use on rise – Newry Democrat
A new survey into cocaine use across the Southern Health Board area has indicated that more than 40 per cent of young people in Newry and Mourne have tried the class A drug.

METH – USA
Bringing meth awareness to Las Vegas – KVBC News
Next week, the war on meth will be taken to another level here in Nevada. That's when the Las Vegas Crystal Darkness campaign kicks off.

METH – USA
Uniting Against Crystal Meth – Windy City Times
The May 16 meeting of the Chicago Crystal Meth Task Force ( CCMTF ) included a discussion on the importance of Illinois working on the meth-related problems that different areas of the state are facing.

METH – USA
Meth use down, but increase expected – The Daily Advocate
Despite decreasing meth production and use in Darke County, Whittaker is prepared for a resurgence, as the drug can be trafficked in from other areas, including Mexico.

OPIUM – USA
Drug addicts vomit out their ills in Thai monastery – Thailand Reuters
An obscure Buddhist monastery in central Thailand that advocates a secret herbal potion and ritual vomiting for drug addicts has become a final source of hope for thousands of Thais and Westerners.

ALCOHOL – INDIA
WHO Plans Global Campaign Against Alcohol Abuse – Med India
The World Health Organization (WHO) Tuesday agreed to target alcohol and alcohol addiction worldwide with a campaign warning against the risks of abuse.

HEROIN – SOUTH AFRICA
Heroin use growing in Iran – Sunday Times
The number of intravenous heroin users in Iran has reached 250,000, an anti-drugs official said, as the Islamic republic steps up efforts to combat a growing drugs problem.

MARIJUANA – INDIA
Marijuana worsens respiratory symptoms in current cigarette smokers – South Asian Women's Forum
Combination of marijuana and cigarette smoking worsens breathing problems in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

May 23rd Drug Addiction News

CANNABIS – UK
Cannabis that can be worn, not smoked at Chelsea Flower Show – Times Online
Cannabis plants have been put on display at the Chelsea Flower Show to educate visitors about the uses plants can be put to.

OPIUM – CHINA
Countries mull drug-control measures – China Daily News
China is considering further cooperation with other Greater Mekong subregional countries to eradicate opium poppy cultivation within the notorious Golden Triangle.

OPIUM – UK
FEATURE-Iran, like the West, has a drugs problem – Reuters AlertNet
Young Iranians queue for methadone to help end years of drug addiction. Elsewhere in the building, a pale, bearded man lies motionless on a bed, his eyes closed, after starting detoxification.

METH – USA
Boozman Introduces Anti-Meth Bill – Today’s THV
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced critical legislation to protect America’s children from drug dealers who market directly to minors.

ALCOHOL – USA
Governor won't allow alcohol at state fair – Akron Beacon Journal
Alcohol sales will not be allowed at the Ohio State Fair, Gov. Ted Strickland announced Tuesday, striking down proposals to start some beer and wine sales.

ALCOHOL – MALAYSIA
Global campaign planned to target alcohol abuse – Malaysia Sun
The World Health Organization (WHO) Tuesday agreed to target alcohol and alcohol addiction worldwide with a campaign warning against the risks of abuse.

METH – USA
Flavored Meth Worries – Join Together
National news reports have highlighted concerns about drug dealers adding kid-friendly flavorings to methamphetamine.

DRUGS – USA
Fingerprint Instead Of Blood Sample To Detect Drugs And Diseases – Medical News Today
To this day, fingerprints are just the thing when a perpetrator needs to be arrested or a person needs to be identified. British scientists working with David A. Russell also want to make it possible to use fingerprints to reveal drug and doping transgressions and to diagnose diseases.

DRUGS – USA
Director Speaks on Substance Abuse Treatment, Addiction Treatment to UCLA's American Medical Students Association – Press Release Web
Michael Cahlin was recently a guest speaker for the ASMA (American Students Medical Association), where he spoke of substance abuse treatment and addiction treatment to the premed chapter in Franz Hall on the UCLA campus.

METH – USA
OCF grants target meth; emphasis put on families – The Mail Tribune
Local efforts to prevent methamphetamine use and break the cycle of addiction secured the largest portion of nearly $2 million in private grants awarded recently.

May 21st Drug Addiction News

OPIUM – USA
Opium: Afghan kids gotta have it – Foreign Policy
Even more disturbing is the fact that, according to the United Nations, some 600,000 of those addicts are under 15.

COCAINE – SOUTH AFRICA
South African drug trade's bitter taste – Mail & Guardian Online
South Africans are changing their hard-drug habits, but the fallout from substance abuse remains the same: the destruction of lives, families and communities.

METH – CANADA
Kits help combat meth – The Morning Star
Some local organizations are using the tools of education to combat crystal meth in our community.

ADDICTION – AUSTRALIA
Parents' drug addiction affects 1 in 8 children: report – ABC NEWS
For the first time, an attempt has been made to work out how many Australian children live with adults who use drugs.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alcohol creeps up on you – The Geelong Advertiser
The good news for drinkers is that one of Geelong's top liver experts doesn't mind a tipple himself. The sobering news for drinkers is that he's all too familiar with the ugly consequences when tipplers tipple too much.

METH – USA
Parents warned of new meth –The Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Methamphetamine is coming this way in a form intended to target youth, local law enforcement officials said. Called "Strawberry Quick," it looks like the popular "Pop Rocks" candy. It is dark pink in color and has a strawberry scent to it.

ALCOHOL – USA
Preventing alcohol experimentation – The Paper 24/7
The percentage of American teenagers who drink weekly is increasing. This means alcohol, along with other harmful drugs and substances, is a primary concern for parents.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Which prescription drugs could create a deadly combination? – ABC Local News
This has brought to the forefront the possibility of it happening to anyone. Three billion prescriptions are filled every year, and one out of every five have serious side effects.

DRUGS – CANADA
New Drug Education Resource Launched in Schools – Government of Nova Scotia
Mock game shows, graffiti-making, role-playing and a host of other creative learning strategies are a key part of a new classroom resource that helps junior high students make better choices about drugs and alcohol.

May 19th Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
Nevada Praised For Action in Combating Methamphetamine – KRNV News
Nevada is getting praise from Democratic attorneys general from several other states for taking steps to stem an "epidemic" of methamphetamine use.

METH – AUSTRALIA
Doctors to fight ice – Sky News
Doctors are being urged to help end the nation's ice epidemic and lead the fight against methamphetamines.

COCAINE – UK
Exile and extinction face a tribe that lost everything to cocaine – Times Online
The Wounaan Indians have been driven out by rebels, militias and a craving for drugs in the rich world.

COCAINE – COLUMBIA
Cocaine Comes to Canada – Shared Responsibility
Edmonton’s economy is booming, but, unfortunately so is it’s cocaine consumption.

METHADONE – USA
Methadone Leading Cause of Overdose Victims in Kentucky – WKYT News
A state medical examiner's report says methadone is the prescription drug that was most frequently detected in the blood of fatal overdose victims.

ALCOHOL – USA
More Community Underage Drinking Prevention Efforts Target Parents – Join Together
As graduation and prom season approaches, more communities are expanding their underage drinking prevention strategies to include parental behavior.

DRUGS – USA
Random Drug Tests Becoming More Prevalent in New Jersey – Join Together
A growing number of New Jersey high schools are instituting random drug testing of students, using loss of eligibility for extracurricular activities and parking privileges as sanctions for positive test results.

DRUGS – USA
Colorado fest to show Utah film – Deseret News
A documentary that examines prescription drug abuse in Utah has been accepted at the Breckenridge Festival of Film in Colorado.

May 18th Drug Addiction News

METH – AUSTRALIA
GPs key to breaking 'ice' epidemic – The Age
A Sydney doctor is urging fellow GPs to lead the fight against methamphetamines and help end the nation's devastating "ice" epidemic.

METH – USA
'Candy-Flavored' Meth Makes Its Way To Nebraska – KTIV
Most kids know how to "just say no to drugs." But, when drugs like meth are disguised to look like candy it may end up being just too good for kids to resist.

METH – USA
Flavored meth presents dangerous new drug trend – KHAS TV
A new type of methamphetamine that targets young children is making its way across the country. It is candy–flavored meth.

METH – USA
Authorities on the Look out for Candy-Flavor Meth – KCRG News
It may sound like an Internet rumor, but candy-flavor meth is real, and is a real threat. But drug investigators tell TV9 they can't find it in Iowa, at least not yet.

ALCOHOL – USA
Quebecers and alcohol in 2007: An overall healthy approach, despite specific problems to resolve and certain needs that must be addressed – News Wire
Quebecers have a healthy approach to alcohol. While, over the past five years, drinking habits have become more regular and the consumption of wines and spirits has continued to grow.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Prescription Drug Use Up in Teen Girls – Web Med
The number of teens, especially girls, taking prescription drugs for type 2 diabetes, sleep problems, and other illnesses is up.

METH – USA
Nevada meth study panel hears examples from other states – WMC-TV Action News
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel joined other state attorney generals in Las Vegas today for a conference on methamphetamine.

DRUGS – USA
Inhalant Abuse – Pediatrics Publications
Inhalant abuse is the intentional inhalation of a volatile substance for the purpose of achieving an altered mental state. As an important, yet-underrecognized form of substance abuse, inhalant abuse crosses all demographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries, causing significant morbidity and mortality in school-aged and older children.

DRUGS – USA
Sales of Home Drug-Test Kits Soar Despite Warnings from Experts – Join Together
The number of parents buying home drug-test kits has increased dramatically despite warnings from treatment professionals and government officials that home-testing adolescents is not a good idea.

DRUGS – USA
Industry Group Launches Website on Cough Medicine Abuse – Join Together
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), which represents manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, has launched an educational campaign on cough medicine abuse focused on a new website.

HEROIN – USA
Deadly Combination of Heroin and Cold Medicine Invades Dallas – Join Together
A deadly mixture of heroin and cold medication, called "cheese," has become a scourge among youth in the Dallas area.

May 17th Drug Addiction News

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Teens: Prescription Drugs & 'Pharm' Parties – Tampa Bay Local State News
Drug trends among teenagers are constantly changing. Next time your kids head to a party, marijuana and cocaine may not be the concern but legal prescription drugs.

METH – USA
Flavored Meth Showing Up – Omaha News
Drug dealers are adding in powdered lemonade and Kool-Aid to make the meth look like the popular candy “Pop Rocks.”

METH – USA
Meth is Death draws large crowd – Arizona Silver Belt
Everybody in the community is impacted by the epidemic of methamphetamine abuse, and it might get worse before it gets any better

METH – USA
City employees learn dangers of meth labs – The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise
If a so-called “cook” was manufacturing methamphetamine here in Seguin, think that wouldn’t be your problem, even if you owned the place?

METH – CANADA
Crystal meth topic of forum – The Powell River Peak
A person can walk into a kitchen that is doubling as a lab for making crystal methamphetamine and not even know it.

HEROIN – FRANCE
'Cheese' heroin tempts Texas teens at two dollars a hit – France 24
Sold in torn paper still bearing class notes, a cheap and deadly form of heroin called "cheese" is sweeping through northern Texas schools where it has claimed the lives of at least 21 teenagers.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Curbing drug abuse – The Washington Times
The nature of America's drug problem is changing. No longer is the problem characterized exclusively by the stereotypical street-corner drug dealer with a bindle of heroin or a baggie of marijuana. Now, prescription drugs are being misused in record numbers.

METH – USA
Program raises methamphetamine danger awareness – The Prairie Star
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that is affecting every segment of society, especially rural America.

METH – USA
Madigan declares progress in fight against methamphetamine – The Southern Illinoisan
The message, which she delivered as keynote speaker at the fourth annual Southern Illinois Methamphetamine Conference, offered hope to those serving on the front lines of the war against the highly addictive and dangerous drug.

ALCOHOL – USA
Cars, Alcohol & Women Are Deadly Mix – CBS News
Young women are quickly catching up to their male counterparts when it comes to alcohol-related fatal car crashes and other risky driving behavior, according to a new study.

May 16th Drug Addiction News

PAINKILLERS – USA
A warning too big to ignore – Journal Gazette
Recent overdose deaths involving a prescription painkiller have prompted Kosciusko County officials to erect a graphic billboard warning residents of the potentially fatal consequences of abusing the drug.

DRUGS – USA
Prescription Painkillers Becoming Popular Target Among Thieves – KOTV News
Clearly, the friendly neighborhood pharmacy has become a more risky business. Pharmacies have security cameras.

HEROIN – USA
What's in your cheese? How about a little heroin – Frost Illustrated
It has become the popular method to achieve a high in the classroom. Even with the media publicity over the number of youths dying, the number of users is increasing.

COCAINE – CANADA
Cocaine: the real thing? – The Labradorian
Of the many drugs which originate from plants, cocaine is one of the most powerful, if not the leader of the pack.

METH – USA
Meth Wars: Legislation Used In The Fight – KAUZ News
If you've been sick the past couple years and bought Sudafed you noticed a difference in getting the drug. Its because of the Combat Meth Act of 2005, which is aimed at limiting access to possible meth cooks.

CANNABIS – AUSTRALIA
Super cannabis alarm – Herald Sun
Police fear a new form of incredibly potent cannabis is destined to hit Australia.

METH – USA
Flavored Meth Gaining in Popularity – Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck
Some of the scariest monsters look lot like the guy next door. They're out there trying to push methamphetamine on our children. Their latest tool...flavored meth.

May 15th Drug Addiction News

CANNABIS – BELGIUM
One in four addicted to cannabis – Expatica
Almost one in four of the young drug users who seek professional help is addicted to cannabis. Seven years ago that figure was just one in ten.

CANNABIS – TURKEY
Europe unites against cannabis in Istanbul – Turkish Daily News
In an effort to fight against drugs European leaders meet in Turkey, one of Europe's major drug traffic hubs, to advocate a cannabis free world.

ALCOHOL – UK
Scotland tops UK for those on benefits due to alcohol – The Herald
Alcohol abuse prevents thousands of Scots from working and the west of Scotland has the highest rate of drink-related benefit claimants in the UK, according to new figures.

HEROIN – USA
Is heroin becoming the new trend? – Gazette Extra
Heroin used to be the drug of choice for "experienced" addicts, Patek said. Now, it's reaching a younger audience.

DRUGS – USA
New England Anti-Drug Testing? – Associated Construction Publications
Drug abuse across New England job sites is arguably as bad as, if not worse than, other regions of the country. And while drug abuse is widespread in general, it's particularly severe within the construction sector.

HEROIN – AUSTRALIA
Asian gangs develop highly potent cannabis strain – The Daily Telegraph
Latest criminal intelligence suggests that Australia-based Vietnamese drug dealers have traveled to Canada to learn how to cultivate the highly addictive cannabis.

METH – USA
Rural Meth Users at Greater Risk – Nebraska Farmer
A new study has determined that rural methamphetamine users are younger when they start using meth, are more likely to use intravenously, have more psychoses, smoke more cigarettes and are more likely to be alcoholic than urban methamphetamine users.

COCAINE – GERMANY
Europe Rushes to Stem Flood of Cocaine Coming Through Africa – Deutsche Welle
round 10 million Europeans, or over three percent of all adults, have used cocaine at least once in their lives, a historically high figure, according to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

METH – USA
As meth cases increase, cleanup help coming – News Democrat and Leader
The production of methamphetamine is a dirty and dangerous- not to mention illegal- process. Poisonous chemicals are used, highly flammable solutions are created and toxic fumes are released. Because of this, meth labs are a health hazard and even continue to be so after they are shut down.

METH – USA
Flavored Meth Targets Youth – WTVF News
Anti-drug advocates and law enforcement said drug dealers are selling flavored crystal methamphetamine, which targets new, young users.

METH – USA
Crack is the New Meth – WENY Local News
The drug of choice will always be replaced for something else, and in this fact we believe because of our close proximity to the New York area.

RITALIN – USA
Finals Week Means Popping Pills – Psych Central
A new study finds that students are using prescription stimulants to improve concentration during long study sessions and all-nighters.

ADDICTION – USA
Fight against drugs moves to living room – Detroit Free Press
In the Royal Oak home of Kirk and Catherine Goddard, about a dozen friends and neighbors gathered around a 27-inch television and settled in for an evening of pizza, salad, soda, movie watching and friendly conversation.

METH – USA
Panel tackles meth addiction in Iowa – DesMoines Register
Treating abusers costs half as much as sending them to prison, but federal funding for such programs ends soon.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

METH – USA
Filmmaker urges action in meth movie – Grand Junction Sentinel
The filmmaker, who hails from Grand Junction, spent 16 months documenting the lives of meth addicts and drug treatment options around the West

RITALIN – UK
Ritalin Abuse Poses Risk During College Exam Week – Medical News Today
College is hard enough. But throw in end-of-semester exams, term papers and standardized tests, and there just aren't enough hours in the day. Enter Ritalin, the latest drug of choice among sleep-deprived students struggling to make the grade.

May 14th Drug Addiction News

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol is a killer for Swiss – Alcoholics Anonymous Reviews
Alcohol is a major cause of death – in many cases premature - among the population in Switzerland, according to a study.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Teens in mass binge-drinking arranged over the internet – The Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/teens-in-mass-bingedrinking-arranged-over-the-internet/2007/05/12/1178899158412.html
YOUNG girls are the new face of underage drinking, lured to hastily organised booze sessions in parks and beaches by internet sites such as MySpace.

DRUGS – INDIA
Beware of Date Rape drugs – Hindustan Times
The effects of these drugs, victims may be physically helpless, unable to refuse sex, and can't remember what happened. The drugs often have no color, smell or taste and are easily added to flavored drinks without the victim's knowledge.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Health Tip: Never Share Prescription Medications – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Although you may be tempted to use a medication that has been prescribed to someone else, this is a dangerous practice.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Don't flush your old prescription drugs; they could harm the environment –WiscNews
Prescription medications can flush toxins from the body, but flushing the expired or unused remedies down pipes into the local sewer system may increase toxins in the environment.

METH – THAILAND
Crackdown against methamphetamine abuse is on – Nation Multimedia
Methamphetamine abuse in Bangkok and other urban centres is on the rise and the Narcotics Control Board will launch a crackdown between now and September.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol at home could help cut teenage binge drinking – Scots Man News
A survey of 10,000 British teenagers aged 15-16 found 75 per cent had drunk alcohol, but those who were first introduced to it at home were less likely to binge-drink, drink frequently or drink in public places.

COCAINE – UK
Euro Zoned Out: Euro Is Choice Of Cocaine – Anorak
The Euro is the No. 1 choice in the cocaine industry. Users might prefer to use rolled up fivers, but the traffickers love the euro.

COCAINE – INDIA
Banned ‘Cocaine’ drink re-emerges as ‘Censored’ – Daily News and Analysis
An energy drink that was barred by the US government from going on the market with the name “Cocaine” will re-emerge under the tongue-in-cheek moniker “Censored.”

DRUGS – USA
Next Generation Of Latino Drug Abuse Experts At University Of Houston To Learn, Teach – Medical News Today
National experts on drug abuse in the Latino community will be at the University of Houston for a week long conference to address current issues and research, and guide new scholars as they study the problem.

ALCOHOL – UK
Alcohol at home can cut teenage binge drinking, study says – Guardian Unlimited
Teenagers who drink alcohol with their parents are less likely to binge drink, according to a survey of 10,000 children which backs the continental style of introducing teenagers to small amounts of alcohol early.

ALCOHOL – CHINA
Study shows alcohol as major cause of death in Switzerland – China View Health
Alcohol is a major cause of death -- in many cases premature -- among the population in Switzerland, Swiss Radio International quoted a study as saying on Thursday.

ALCOHOL – USA
Officials urge Anheuser-Busch to warn of risks with alcohol, energy drinks – The Stamford Advocate
Attorneys general in 27 states on Thursday urged Anheuser-Busch Inc. to issue warnings about the risks of mixing alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks.

METH – USA
State police warn parents about ‘new’ meth – The Journal Press
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, methamphetamine is a very addictive Schedule II stimulant drug that can be taken orally, it can be snorted, injected, or smoked. Abusers can become addicted very quickly and need higher doses more often.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Availability of prescription drugs puts young people at risk – The Herald Tribune
The killer typically attacks via our bathroom medicine cabinets, or worse yet, is allowed to attack under the guise of a legal medical prescription.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Warn Teens about Prescription Drugs – 13 WAHM TV
Prescription medications can change a teen's life in seconds. One moment they’re strong and athletic, and the next, they’re headed to the hospital emergency room barely breathing.

DRUGS – UK
UN urges random drug tests for drivers – Yahoo News
Ordinary drivers and workers who operate heavy equipment or do other hazardous jobs should be subject to random drug tests similar to the spot checks police in some countries now conduct for alcohol.

DRUGS – USA
10+ Percent of Adults Abuse or Become Dependent on Drugs – Kansas City infoZine
Drug abuse refers to the intense desire to take drugs at the exclusion of other activities, and dependence occurs when the body becomes physically dependent on an illicit substance.

DRUGS – USA
Rally 'kools' kids' temptations to abuse drugs – The Jackson County Floridan
“Drugs can stop your heart from beating" read one of the signs at the third annual Kool Kids Day, where third-graders from the five-county area learned that drug and alcohol abuse can not only break the hearts of those who love you, it can literally break your heart.

DRUGS – UK
Living in terror of teen drug barons – ScotsMan
IT sounds like the stuff of Hollywood movies. Drug gangs armed with hand grenades, sub-machine guns and automatic pistols battle to control their patch, willing to carry out violent reprisals to retain control of their lucrative trade.

DRUGS – USA
Random drug testing spreads, one school a week – USA Today
Concerns can't be ignored, but neither can the health of 1 million kids.

COCAINE – USA
The White House and Cocaine – TDPF
In 2005 the White House Drugs Czar, John Walters, claimed success in the ‘War on Drugs’, on the basis that cocaine prices were increasing and quality falling - clear indicators of a reduction in supply.

METH – AUSTRALIA
Ice a huge challenge for society: police – The Canberra Times
Police had confiscated knives, slingshots, batons, syringes and tasers from aggressive ice users on Canberra streets, a senior police officer said yesterday.

METH – AUSTRALIA
'Ice' cost to nation escalates – The Age
EVERY kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, costs Australia $284,000.

DRUGS – IRAQ
IRAQ: Drug abuse among children on the rise – IRIN Middle East
The increase in drug abuse among children and youths in Iraq is worrying specialists who say continued violence is responsible for the rising number of users.

COCAINE – USA
This is Not Your Parents' Cocaine – Drug War Chronicle
The United States and its Latin American allies are losing a major battle in the war on drugs, according to indicators showing that cocaine prices dipped for most of 2006 and American users were getting more bang for their buck.
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COCAINE – USA
Cocaine, Marketing & The Food & Drug Administration – Washington Post
Under pressure from the Food and Drug Administration and local politicians, Redux Beverages, LLC is pulling their energy drink Cocaine, from shelves nationwide.

CODEINE – USA
Leading Cough Medicine Makers Launch Campaign Aimed At Ending Abuse – AllHipHop
The nations leading cough medicine makers have launched the "Five Moms Campaign," aimed at stopping the dangerous trend of abusing cough syrup to get high.

May 9th Drug Addiction News

DRUGS – USA
Drug dealers peddling new kid-friendly mixes – MSNBC
Meth, heroin laced with candy and strawberry flavoring to appeal to youth.

DRUGS – THIALAND
Companies 'clever at giving alcohol a good image' – National Multimedia
Alcohol companies are very clever at creating a good image of drinking by sponsoring sports and musical events, a mass communications lecturer said yesterday.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol Manufacturer Takes Steps To Help Reduce Teen Drinking – North Country Gazette
Beam Global, the nation’s largest distilled spirits company, has adopted a comprehensive set of new policies designed to reduce exposure of its advertising to underage persons.

METH – USA
'Our No. 1 drug problem' – Tucson Citizen
Gov. Janet Napolitano is calling for a crackdown on the cross-border methamphetamine traffic and an expansion of addiction treatment to combat the illegal drug's growing threat to public health and safety.

METH – USA
Meth Strike Force should continue; only question is how – Statesman Journal
It shows what can happens when a community takes charge of a problem instead of leaving it for someone else to solve.

METH – USA
Is meth becoming the new white collar drug? – WFIE TV
It seems meth is used by everyone - from housewives, to teachers, to attorneys. Last Friday, police arrested a second Evansville lawyer on meth-related charges.

May 8th Drug Addiction News

COCAINE – USA
‘Cocaine’ drink yanked from shelves nationwide – MSNBC
Company plans to rebrand the energy beverage after FDA complaints. An energy drink called Cocaine has been from pulled from stores nationwide amid concerns about its name.

METH – USA
Study: Meth addicts in rural areas face more health problems – Journal Star
Experts say rural addicts typically have limited access to treatment facilities and health services, but that’s become even more unsettling in light of a new study comparing meth users living in rural areas with their urban counterparts.

METH – USA
Meth overwhelms the nation – The Daily
While most of us have heard something about the national meth problem, most would probably not term it an epidemic. That’s dangerously incorrect, and our ignorance of the problem is leading to its fast proliferation in our very own backyard.

METH – USA
Meth Update – Oroville Mercury Register
Many parents may needlessly worry that their teen or even preteen is using alcohol or other drugs. There may be a political conflict between a child's rights as a member of a free society and a parent's obligation as a caretaker of a developing individual.

METH – USA
Candy-Flavored Meth Targets New Users – CBS News
Officials say the "designer meth" can smooth the chemically rough ingestion of the drug, making it easier for first-time users to try.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Parents, Check Your Medicine Cabinet –
If it passes later this month, a bill introduced by Suffolk County Legis. Lynne Nowick (R-St. James) will ban the sale of DXM products to minors. What could be bad about that?

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Teens seen turning to legal drugs for a 'high' – The Daily Record
The latest drug danger for teenagers and young adults is not new; it's legally purchased prescription drugs.

DRUGS – USA
Few parents tune in to teen drug talk – The Daily Herald
Information about drugs favored by local teenagers and how best to connect with them were some of the things parents learned at a special program staged by Warren Township High School on Thursday night.

DRUGS – USA
More Than 10 Percent Of Adults Abuse Or Become Dependent On Drugs During Their Lifetime – Science Daily
Approximately 10.3 percent of U.S. adults appear to have problems with drug use or abuse during their lives.

DRUGS – USA
Dramatic play changes opinions of drug abuse: study – Yahoo News
A dramatic play about drug abuse can change the opinions of the audience and even prompt them to donate money to prevention programs.

May 7th Drug Addiction News

DRUGS – UK
Don’t do drugs…Drugs are bad…Okay? – Drink and Drugs News
Let's learn from the failures of drug education in schools and change the emphasis to drug prevention.

METH – UK
Crystal meth: coming to a town near you – Times
It has been an epidemic in America and a major problem in many other parts of the world. Now it may be our turn to be hit by the world’s most addictive drug

DRUGS – GERMANY
Report Paints Mixed Picture of German Drug and Alcohol Use – DW World
Germany's annual report on drugs and addiction was released this week showing a overall decrease in drug-related deaths, but alarming data on prescription drug addiction and youth drinking.

COCAINE – USA
Cocaine use rising locally – Standard Speaker
Cocaine use may have eclipsed heroin in the Hazleton area for the first time in years, according to police and a drug-prevention expert.

COCAINE – USA
Crack cocaine now a local ‘epidemic’ – The Daily Review
While methamphetamine use has declined in Bradford County, crack cocaine use has now reached “epidemic” proportions in the county.

METH – USA
Meth marks the Tier: What you should know about this dangerous drug – Press and Sun-Bulletin
Meth is a very large problem in this country as well as the world. It shows no boundaries and spares no one. Since d-Meth was invented, the meth epidemic has taken off.

METH – USA
Dealers' latest lure: sweetened meth – Indianapolis Star
Manufacturers adding powdered drink mix to bitter drug to take edge off for new users.

METH – USA
Strawberry Quick, Meth's Dangerous New Form – Associated Content
They are calling this new form of meth "Strawberry Quick" and it looks like Pop Rocks candy that sizzle in your mouth. In it's current form, it is dark pink in color and has a strawberry scent to it.

CODEIN – UK
Taking painkillers can make your headaches worse – The Daily Mail
Taking too many headache tablets can made headaches worse, doctors have warned.

DRUGS – USA
Substance Use Among Young Military Personnel Differs From Civilians – Join Together
Young adults in the military report substantially different patterns of substance use than their civilian counterparts.

DRUGS – USA
Study finds alcohol advertising and marketing are associated with adolescent drinking – RAND
Children's exposure to alcohol advertising during early adolescence appears to influence both beer drinking and their intentions to drink a year later.

METH – USA
New form of meth heading this way; 'Strawberry Quick' combines drug with mix to give better taste – The Benton Courier
A new form of methamphetamine called "Strawberry Quick," targeted at a new, and possibly younger, market, could make its way into Saline County.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Teen girls, young women outpace males for prescription drug abuse, dependence – Battle Creek Enquirer
A new data analysis finds alarming trends in prescription drug abuse. While overall illicit drug use is declining, the abuse of prescription drugs, particularly narcotic pain killers, remains disturbingly high.

May 6th Drug Addiction News

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alice shops urged to stop selling mouthwash with alcohol – ABC Regional News
One pharmacist is no longer selling mouthwash, after noticing a 500 per cent increase in sales over the past few weeks.

ALCOHOL – UK
New study suggests alcohol promotes breast tumour growth – Cancer Research UK
Scientists have discovered that breast tumours in mice given the equivalent of two alcoholic drinks per day grow twice as fast as tumours in mice given no alcohol.

ALCOHOL – USA
Local study links alcohol to brain shrinking – MetroWest Daily News
A new study by a researcher at Wellesley College found that increased alcohol consumption is related to a reduction in brain volume.

ALCOHOL – NEW ZEALAND
Press Release - Alcohol Advertising Review – The Scoop
In their report released today the Alcohol Advertising Review Steering Group has made some useful recommendations however, they have fallen short of doing what is necessary to reduce youth drinking and reduce alcohol-related harm.

ALCOHOL – NEW ZEALAND
Alcohol Report Findings Disappoint Health Group – NewsWire
A health lobby group says a report favouring industry self-regulation over liquor advertising does not go far enough.

ALCOHOL – NEW ZEALAND
Alcohol advertising report released – The Scoop
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor today released a report into alcohol advertising.

ALCOHOL – USA
WW County youths use alcohol – The Union Bulletin
The 2006 Healthy Youth Survey, taken by the Washington state Department of Health, shows Walla Walla County youths above the state average in alcohol consumption by as early as sixth grade.

ALCOHOL – SWEDEN
RAND Study Finds Alcohol Advertising And Marketing Are Associated With Adolescent Drinking – All American Patriots
Children's exposure to alcohol advertising during early adolescence appears to influence both beer drinking and their intentions to drink a year later.

ALCOHOL – USA
Campaign takes aim at underage drinking in Montgomery County during May — and beyond – The Journal Review
Parents of pre-teen and teen-age children can help reduce underage drinking by beefing up their “supervisory” skills, through a campaign launched in May by the A.H.E.A.D. Coalition.

ALCOHOL – USA
Alcohol & proms: A deadly mix – Daily Courier
For high school students everywhere, prom is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. And it is right around the corner.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Teens Getting High From Prescription Sleeping Pills – Local 10 News
The new party pill for teenagers is a popular sleeping pill. It's easy for young people to get the pills because millions of Americans already have them at home in their medicine cabinets.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alcohol: the problem – The Age
Australia's cultural love affair with booze is jeopardizing the country's health and taking a large chunk out of its hip pocket.

ALCOHOL – AUSTRALIA
Alcohol: the solution – The Age
There is a recurring problem in the attempt to reduce alcohol harm. "What's popular doesn't work and what works isn't popular."

April 5th Drug Addiction News

ADDICTION – UK
Fears over painkiller addiction – Metro UK
Growing numbers of people are becoming addicted to over-the-counter painkillers, doctors are warning.

DRUGS – USA
Drugs stand between kids and emotions – Star Gazette News
Weekdays, weekends, free periods during school days, are all common times for substance use and abuse.

DRUGS – USA
'Drugs 101' informs parents – The Indiana Gazette
At first glance, it looked like a typical teenager's bedroom. Clothing and magazines such as "Seventeen" and "People" littered the floor and bed, and soda cans and makeup sat atop a table. A closer look, however, revealed items - pills, pipes and clothing emblazoned with drug-related slang and imagery - that hinted at something more dangerous.

ADDICTION – USA
The addicts on more than 70 over-the-counter pills a day – The Daily Mail
Growing numbers of housewives and professionals are becoming addicted to over-the- counter drugs, doctors have warned.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Doctors Sound Alarm Over Sleeping Pills – Red Orbit Breaking News
More young, overstimulated, stressed-out Americans are taking prescription sleeping pills before stumbling to bed.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Michigan Ranks Among Top States In Nation In Teen Abuse Of Prescription Drugs – Medical News Today
The latest research shows that Michigan has one of the highest rates of teen prescription drug abuse in the country, as teens turn away from street drugs and use prescription drugs to get high.

DRUGS – USA
Hanover Park details drug test plan – The Daily Record
small but supportive group of about 40 parents showed up Wednesday night for the Hanover Park Regional High School District's panel discussion of its proposed drug-testing policy.

METH – USA
Meth plagues Indian Country especially hard – Billings Gazette
Not long ago, most people here had never even heard of meth. Today, most know someone on meth or in prison because of it.

DRUGS – USA
Drug overdoses up: Coroner sees more drug-related deaths – Shelby County Reporter
Shelby County Coroner Diana Hawkins continues her mission to combat an increase in the number of teens and young adults dying from substance abuse.

ALCOHOL – USA
Prom night: Limos, tuxes, dresses - and safety – Gloucester Daily Times
When it comes to high school graduation plans, no parent wants to be this year's "Prom Grinch." But most parents worry about safety.

DRUGS – USA
Drug use survey results to be released – Sun Journal
The act of using inhalants to get high is one of the topics Patricia Duguay will speak about during a special public program on Wednesday at Mountain Valley Middle School.

May 4th Drug Addiction News

DRUGS – USA
ONDCP Claims Pot Potency Doubled – Join Together
The report from the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project said the average THC content in seized marijuana samples was 8.5 percent, up from about 4 percent in 1983.

ALCOHOL – USA
Binge Drinking Prevention Mailings Effective, Study Says – Join Together
Problem drinkers who received informational mailings reduced their binge drinking by 10 percent, according to a study by University of Alberta researchers.

RITALIN – AUSTRALIA
ADHD is born in classrooms – The Daily Telegraph
Teachers were diagnosing a "hyper" child with potential ADHD because schools did not have sufficient resources to find educational answers.

DRUGS – USA
Study: Large Number of Students Abuse Drugs – My VLT 2 News
Shocking new concerns about drug abuse in Knox County, according to the Metropolitan Drug Commission, alcohol remains the most commonly used substance by high school students.

PRESCRIPTION – USA
Girls' Prescription Drug Abuse Up – Time Magazine
Females are bucking the traditional drug abuse trends when it comes to prescription drugs such as antidepressants and tranquilizers.

DRUGS – USA
Hanover Park details drug test plan – The Daily Record
A small but supportive group of about 40 parents showed up Wednesday night for the Hanover Park Regional High School District's panel discussion of its proposed drug-testing policy.

May 2nd Drug Addiction News

METH – USA
Drink mix makes its way