Florida Women Murdered in Undercover Drug Sting
A Florida woman arrested for possession of marijuana and ecstasy was pressed into service as a drug informant, then murdered during a sting operation where she was told to purchase 1,500 ecstasy pills, cocaine, and a gun from a pair of drug dealers.
Bill Would Ban All Cigarette Flavors Except Menthol
A bill in Congress that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate tobacco products also would ban all flavored cigarettes -- except menthol. That's an exception that worries many public-health experts, who point out that menthol cigarettes are especially popular among African-Americans.
Men More Likely to Drink for Stress Relief
Depressed men are more likely than women to crave alcohol and develop alcohol-related disorder, according to researchers at Yale University.
NIDA Says Heavy Marijuana Use Linked to Coronary Risk
Heavy marijuana use may be related to an increase in a blood protein linked to heart disease, although researchers did not look at whether study subjects actually had heart problems.
Court Orders New Trial in S.C. Baby Drug Death Case
The South Carolina Supreme Court threw out the conviction of a woman charged with homicide in the stillborn death of her child because she used cocaine during her pregnancy.
Top Mexican Police Official Assassinated
Gunmen suspected of ties with Mexican drug cartels assassinated the acting head of the country's federal police in an ambush at his home in Mexico City.
Moderate Drinking Raises Risk of Mouth Cancer, Researchers Say
Drinking just two glasses of wine daily can cause a 75-percent increase in the risk of developing mouth cancer, according to Australian researchers.
Case Challenging 1998 Tobacco Settlement Dismissed
A lawsuit against the tobacco industry and the state of California challenging the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement has been dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
ONDCP Claims Depression, Marijuana Link; Report Scorned
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy released a report last week saying that teens who use marijuana to self-medicate for depression could be hurting themselves more, that weekly marijuana use doubles the risk of depression and anxiety for teens, and that depressed teens are more than twice as likely as their peers to become dependent on marijuana.
Calls to Ban Tobacco Deliveries
Some state and federal officials want to ban tobacco products from being shipped by mail, saying the prohibition is needed to prevent sales to minors and stop Internet buyers from dodging state tobacco taxes.
World Science Fair Adds Addiction Science Award
This year, for the first time, three students will receive awards for exemplary projects in Addiction Science at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest science competition for high school students.
Parental Awareness of Child's Drug Use
Parents are less likely to be aware of a younger child's cigarette and alcohol use than that of an older child, according to analysis of multiyear data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Groups, Parents Urge Maryland Gov. to Veto Alcopops Bill
Advocacy groups and parents of teens killed by drunk drivers sent a pair of Mother's Day appeals to Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley urging him to veto a bill that would treat sweetened "alcopop" drinks the same as beer for regulatory and tax purposes.
U.K. Reclassifies Marijuana
Marijuana has been reclassified from a Class C drug to Class B in the U.K. -- a move that carries more restrictions and higher penalties for offenses involving the drug.
Suicide Link Doesn't Prevent Chantix Endorsement
The drug Chantix has been linked to increased risk of suicide, but new U.S. government stop-smoking guidelines for doctors nonetheless endorse the drug.
Ohio Shuts Down Smoking Prevention Foundation
The Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation was shut down this week when Gov. Ted Strickland signed a bill that seizes the organization's assets and transfers its responsibilities to the state Department of Health.
Michigan Senate Approves Smokefree Legislation
Michigan has moved a step closer to banning smoking in all of the bars, restaurants and workplaces in the state.
Vancouver's InSite Program Remains Threatened
Harm-reduction advocates have long worried that the conservative government of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper would shut down Vancouver's safe-injection site for drug users, and a new report is unlikely to do much to assuage those fears.
Conn. Fails to Pass Open-Container Law
Having open containers of alcohol in a motor vehicle is prohibited in most states, but Connecticut lawmakers recently failed in an attempt to add the Constitution State to that list.
Crime Rises with Alcohol Outlet Density, Study Says
A new Australian study concludes that violence rose in Melbourne communities as the density of alcohol outlets increased.
Marijuana-Flavored Candy Banned in Georgia
Products like "Kronic Kandy" and "Pot Suckers" can no longer be sold to minors in Georgia, under a measure signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue this week.
Casino Smoking Ban Fails in Conn. House
Smokers will continue to be permitted to light up in Connecticut's Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos after the state House of Representatives declined to consider a proposal to extend the state's indoor-smoking law to gaming facilities.
Mexican Cartels Seek Army Deserters
Drug cartels in Mexico are actively encouraging desertions among Mexican soldiers engaged in an extended battle over the drug trade.
Heart Benefits Come Fast for Women Who Quit Smoking
Within five years of quitting former female smokers have no greater risk of dying from coronary heart disease than nonsmokers, according to a new study.
Leading Candidates Take Little Tobacco Money
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has taken more money from the tobacco industry than presidential rivals Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain, but industry donations to all three campaigns have been relatively small.
S.C. Lawmakers Start Debate on Tobacco Tax Hike
A plan to raise South Carolina's tobacco tax by 50 cents is now being debated in the state Senate.
National Campaign to Prevent Misuse of Cough Medicine
Five women have launched a national campaign to raise awareness of the problem of cough-medicine abuse, aided by a manufacturer's association.
Marijuana Called Effective Treatment for Neuropathic Pain
A new study finds that patients given mild doses of marijuana can experience relief from neuropathic pain -- often related to spinal-cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other never injuries -- without becoming intoxicated.
2008 Global Conference on Methamphetamine
Touted as the first such gathering, this global conference on methamphetamine seeks to bring together the world's experts working on issues related to methamphetamine to discuss the intersection between methamphetamine use, public health, law enforcement, and civil society.
Blacks Still More Likely to Be Arrested for Drugs, Studies Say
Use of illicit drugs is about the same among black and white Americans, but a pair of new studies shows that blacks are still more likely to be arrested and imprisoned for drug offenses despite widespread awareness of the disparity.
Alcohol Becoming Equal Opportunity Destroyer
Alcohol dependence was once much more common among men than women in the U.S., but the gender gap is closing.
Painkiller Patches Abused by Addicts
Addicts in Canada have figured out how to get around the new safety features of narcotic pain patches so they can use the drugs to get high.
FDA Panel Skeptical of New OxyContin Formula
Drugmaker Purdue Pharma says that it has made the painkiller OxyContin harder to abuse by adding a plastic-like coating to the pills, but a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel said that more testing is needed before the drug can be brought to market.
Teen Smoking Lower in Towns with Bans
Teens living in towns with indoor-smoking bans were 40 percent less likely to become regular smokers than those living in communities that allow smokers to light up in restaurants and bars, according to researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health.
College Party Characteristics Related to Likelihood of High-Risk Drinking
High-risk drinking among college students is related to the types of parties they attend, according to a recent web survey of undergraduate students attending two large urban universities.
New Anti-Meth Campaign for American Indians/Alaska Natives
The Office of National Drug Control Policy and partners have launched the first ever anti-meth public service campaign targeted toward American Indian and Native Alaskan populations.
Smoking in Pregnancy Causes Vascular Harm, Affecting Mother and Child
Women who smoke during pregnancy increase their risk of developing blood clots and other problems as well as restricting the growth of their unborn children.
Medical-Monitoring Case Against Tobacco Industry Dismissed
The Oregon Supreme Court has dismissed a class-action lawsuit seeking to compel the tobacco industry to pay for medical monitoring of smokers.
Ketamine Possible Depression Treatment
Ketamine, a drug that started out as a tranquilizer for horses and ended up as a popular club drug, could be useful as a treatment for depression, researchers say.
Medical Marijuana Transplant Patient Dies
A medical-marijuana user who was denied a liver transplant because of his use of the drug has died.
Fla. Sting Operation Targets Alcoholic Energy Drinks
The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products recently conducted a series of statewide sting operations targeting sales of alcoholic energy drinks to underage youth and found that about one in four visits resulted in sales to buyers under age 21.
Drunk Driving in Video Game Earns MADD Condemnation
Gamers playing the new "Grand Theft Auto IV" have the option of switching to drunk-driving mode, a gimmick condemned by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Dad Mistakenly Buys Alcopop for Son, Loses Custody
A Michigan man temporarily lost custody of his son after mistakenly buying the 7-year-old an alcoholic Mike's Hard Lemonade at a Detroit Tigers game last month.
Animal Study Hints at Greater Teen Susceptibility to Addiction
Adolescent rats given cocaine were more likely to return to the place where they got the drug than adult rats, suggesting that younger drug users may be more likely to be motivated by drug-related cues than older users.
Virtual Reality Can Aid Treatment
A new study shows that therapists can effectively use virtual-reality (VR) technology to stimulate alcohol craving in order to train patients in coping and resistance skills.
Alabama Senate Approves Indoor-Smoking Ban
The Alabama Senate voted 28-3 in favor of a measure that would ban smoking in most indoor public places.
Brewers Urged to Stop Marketing Beer Shirts to Young Girls
The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest urged several Miller Brewing Co., Foster's, and Diageo to stop allowing logos for their beers to be used on tee shirts sold at Forever 21, a retailer popular with teenage girls.
Painkillers Replacing Heroin on Canadian Streets
A new study finds that Canadian heroin addicts may be switching to prescription opiates like OxyContin.
'Courage in a Bottle' No Myth, Study Finds
Drunken bravado has biological roots, according to a brain-scan study that finds that alcohol inhibits the ability to feel fear.
Brief Physician Interventions Encourage Smokers to Quit
Doctors can double the likelihood of patients quitting smoking by briefly discussing their tobacco use and encouraging them to quit, according to British researchers.
NYC Marijuana Arrest Hit Blacks, Hispanics Hardest, Report Says
A new report from the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) says that the New York Police Department intentionally targeted blacks and Hispanics in a campaign to crack down on minor marijuana crimes.
Seattle Saves Money By Housing Homeless Drinkers
The city of Seattle has saved more than $2 million annually by providing housing for formerly homeless alcoholics.
Challenge to Student Aid Ban for Drug Offenders Rejected
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has refused to reinstate a lawsuit that claimed that a federal law stripping student aid from individuals with drug convictions represented unconstitutional double jeopardy.
Artery Repairs Halted by Secondhand Smoke, Study Finds
Exposure to levels of secondhand smoke typically found in a bar can cause sustained disruption in the cells that line and repair blood vessels, according to researcher Stanton A. Glantz and colleagues.
Black Market Cigarettes Fund Terrorism, Report Says
New Yorkers who buy black market cigarettes in an effort to dodge high city and state taxes may be unwittingly supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, according to a congressional staff report.
British Pubs Hurt by Cheap Supermarket Alcohol, Other Changes
Going down to the pub on Friday night has long been a traditional part of British culture, but more Brits are now buying cheap alcohol at the supermarket and drinking it at home, causing many pubs to shut down.
New Findings on Asian Alcohol-Protection Gene
Only certain East Asian populations have a high prevalence of a gene that protects against alcohol overconsumption, and researchers speculate that some event must have occurred over the past few thousand years to make this genetic protection advantageous.
Salvia Ban Could Hamper Research
Some states and the federal government are considering banning the hallucinogenic herb salvia divinorum, but that could snuff out promising research into the plant's potential medical uses.
Report: 4 in 10 English Smokers Try to Quit
Cancer Research UK reports that 43 percent of smokers in England tried to quit last year, including 8 percent who said their quit attempt was directly related to passage of smokefree legislation.
Some Dying Medical-Marijuana Users Can't Get Transplants
Medical-marijuana is legal in some states, but a number of organ-donation programs bar users from getting transplants even though marijuana does not have direct negative effects on most organs.
Suppliers Targeted in Battle Against Indoor Marijuana Grow Operations
Federal law-enforcement officials seeking to stem the growth of indoor marijuana cultivation in the Seattle area have filed charges on a pair of gardening supply stores and a mortgage broker thought to be facilitating the illicit grow operations.
Depression More Common Among Smokers, Study Says
Smokers are 41 percent more likely to suffer from clinical depression than nonsmokers, according to a study of more than 8,500 people.
Salvia Banned in Kansas
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has signed into law a measure that criminalizes the possession, use and sale of salvia divinorum, a hallucinogenic herb.
'Second Chance Act' Wins Broad Praise, Call for Funding
There have been few instances where addiction recovery and drug-reform groups have united in praise for federal drug policy, but President Bush earned kudos earlier this month for signing into law the Second Chance Act, which provides for addiction treatment and other services for offenders reentering the community.
Advocates Win Delay on Md. Alcopops Bill
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.
3,000 Crack Offenders Have Sentences Reduced
A new policy aimed at equalizing crack and powdered cocaine sentencing has resulted in reduced sentences for about 3,000 crack offenders.
N.H. Senate Gives Cold Shoulder to Marijuana Decriminalization
A bill that would decriminalize marijuana passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives but received a chilly reception in the state Senate.
Drug Dogs Face Extinction in Canada
The Canadian Supreme Court ruled that using drug-sniffing dogs in public places is a violation of privacy rights.
Some Cocaine Offenders Denied Attorneys for Sentence Appeals
Some of the estimated 20,000 crack-cocaine offenders eligible for sentence reductions under a new federal policy may have to argue their cases without the aid of a lawyer.
Drugs Seized in Improper Arrest Can Still Lead to Conviction, Supreme Court Says
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.
CSPI Applauds Maine's Taxes on Soda, Beer & Wine
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) wants governors, state legislators, and members of Congress interested in simultaneously bridging budget gaps and improving public health to look to Maine.
In Tight Budget Times, Tobacco Taxes Make Tempting Target
Massachusetts is just the latest state to consider tobacco tax hikes as a way to close budget gaps during sagging economic times.
Feds Reject Brewer's Appeal to 'Try Legal Weed'
Weed, Calif., brewers thought they were making a clever play on words when they had the bottle caps of the beer stamped "Try Legal Weed," but federal regulators were not amused and ordered what they called an illegal-drug reference removed.
Localized Declines in Female Life Expectancy Blamed on Smoking, Obesity
Overall life expectancy for women in the U.S. rose by more than six years between 1959 and 2001, but remained flat or fell in many poor and rural areas.
Side Effects Imperil Addiction Drugs
Reports of increased risk of depression and suicide are dimming the future prospects of drugs designed to treat addictions to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Whirlpool Suspends Workers Who Lied About Smoking
The Whirlpool Corp. has suspended 39 workers who signed up as non tobacco-users for the company's health-insurance program but were later caught smoking or using chewing tobacco on company property.
U.S. Holds a Quarter of All Prisoners Worldwide, Study Says
The United States imprisons people for drug use and other crimes that rarely result in prison sentences in other nations, helping to explain why a country with 5 percent of the world's population accounts for 25 percent of the global prison population.
15 Percent of Americans Say They Drive Drunk, Report Finds
About one in seven Americans admit to driving drunk, and states in the upper Midwest -- led by Wisconsin -- have the highest rates of DUI.
$79 Online Program Helps Those on Treatment Waiting Lists
An Internet-based addiction treatment program can help individuals seeking treatment to start dealing with their problems even before they get admitted to a formal recovery program.
More Afghans Afflicted by Addiction, Mental Illness
Years of war have taken a heavy toll on the people of Afghanistan, and mental illness and addiction now rank as the top health problems facing the country.
Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes and Prior DWI
Drinking drivers involved in fatal crashes are more likely than sober drivers to have a previous conviction for driving while impaired, according to recently released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Dutch City Seeks to Marginalize Marijuana 'Coffee Shops'
The Dutch city of Maastricht is fighting a sort of border war with its neighbors over a plan to push its marijuana "coffee shops" out of the city center and toward the city limits.
Researchers: Women Should Time Quitting Smoking with Menstrual Cycle
Women who quit smoking in the days preceding their menstrual cycle have a better chance of succeeding, according to researchers who say that sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone may help remove nicotine from the blood faster.
$600 Million to Be Divided Among Florida Smokers, Families
Up to 50,000 sick Florida smokers and families of dead smokers will receive the proceeds from a $600-million fund set up by tobacco companies as part of a long-running lawsuit.
4/20 Goes Mainstream
April 20 has become a national holiday of sorts for marijuana smokers, and the event and the term '420' have become part of the commercial mainstream.
Mexican Police Flee to U.S. to Dodge Traffickers
Under threat of murder by drug cartels, some Mexican police officials are seeking political asylum in the U.S.
Cigarette Co. Funds Campaign to Block Mass. Tax Increase
A hotline and ad campaign opposing a planned $1 per pack increase in the Massachusetts tobacco tax is being funded by tobacco firm Philip Morris.
Easy Test Might Predict Lung Cancer in Smokers
Researchers have found that cell damage in the lining of the mouths of smokers may predict damage in the lungs that leads to lung cancer.
Aripiprazole for Alcohol Addiction
Aripiprazole, an antipsychotic drug currently used to treat bipolar disorder as well as schizophrenia, has potential for treating alcohol dependence.
Anti-Smoking Pill Faces More Safety Questions
The safety of Chantix, an anti-smoking pill, is being questioned after reports of serious neuropsychiatric symptoms in some of the drug's users.
'Crystal Darkness' Simulcast Generates Calls for Help
Unprecedented statewide cooperation among competing television and radio stations in the broadcast of a documentary about crystal meth, resulted in hundreds of Arizonans calling a hotline number at the conclusion of the broadcast.
Nebraska Seeks Stricter Marijuana Penalties
Fines and penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana in Nebraska would be strengthened if new legislation is signed into law.
School Nurses Helping Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
The National Association of School Nurses announced 'Smart Moves, Smart Choices,' a program that responds to the growing rate of prescription drug abuse among middle and high school students nationwide.
EU Official To Alcohol Industry: Stop Marketing to Kids
The European Union Health Commissioner called on the alcohol industry to stop marketing to youth, but stopped short of recommending legislative action.
Tobacco Use Down, Cannabis Up Among Canadian Adults
Cannabis use among Ontario adults is on the increase, with rates nearly doubling since 1977.
Ohio Next in Line to Ban 'Holy Smoke'
Ohio representatives unanimously passed a bill to ban the psychoactive herb Salvia divinorum.
Dopamine Boost Affects Cocaine Use in Rats
A new study found that increasing the brain level of receptors for dopamine can reduce cocaine use by 75 percent in rats.
Referral to Mandated Alcohol Intervention with College Students Suggests Policy and Clinical Options
This study followed college students who were sanctioned for alcohol-related incidents and referred to a university-sponsored alcohol and drug assistance program. The aim of the study was to examine whether programs significantly reduced drinking in the time between the violation and the start of the program.
Relapse Risk in People with Remitted Alcohol Dependence
There is little information on the stability of abstinent and nonabstinent remission from alcohol dependence in the US population. This study examines alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms over 3 years among adults who had participated in a national alcohol survey and who were in remission from alcohol dependence.
The Value of Screening for Pain in Patients with Opioid Dependence
Pain is prevalent among people with opioid dependence, and its association with psychosocial stressors may threaten clinical gains achieved through substance abuse treatment. Researchers examined the effectiveness of a brief pain screening instrument among people with opioid dependence seeking inpatient opioid detoxification.
Tobacco Companies Make Payments on Settlement
Tobacco companies Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds have made their full yearly payments as mandated under the 1998 settlement.
Substance Use and Dependence in First Year After Initiation
Substance use trajectories in the year after initiation vary greatly by substance, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Middle Aged Drinking, Smoking Linked with Earlier Alzheimer's
Researchers found an apparent link between heavy drinking or heavy smoking by people in their 40s and earlier onset of Alzheimer's disease decades later.
Idaho Methamphetamine Admissions Outpace Alcohol and Marijuana
A nationwide study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows treatment admissions for methamphetamine use increasing faster than those for alcohol and marijuana in Idaho.
Personal Battles Make Him a Better Advocate, Kennedy Says
Personal struggles with depression, alcoholism and substance abuse make him a more effective mental health care advocate, says Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)
Advocates Urge Maryland Governor to Veto Alcopops Bill
Public health advocates are urging Maryland's governor to veto a bill passed last week that will officially designate alcopops as beer, allowing drinks like Jack Daniel's Black Jack Cola to remain more widely distributed -- and taxed less -- than distilled spirits.
Alcopops Market Spikes in Australia
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.
Prenatal Substance Use May Affect Child Brain Size
A new study suggests that a mother's substance use during pregnancy, especially a combination of substances, may result in a smaller brain for her child.
Driven to Distraction: NASCAR Drivers Want Testing
Recent remarks from NASCAR drivers about the lack of drug testing in the motor sport are revving up tensions in the NASCAR community.
Tobacco State At Historic Lows in Teen Smoking
A state-administered survey of more than 7,500 middle and high school students in North Carolina shows teen smoking at historic lows.
Back to Basics: Effective Strategies for Addictions in the Workplace
Treatment Solutions Network hosts their Back To Basics Conference, 'Effective Strategies for Addictions in the Workplace,' on June 25-27 in Nevada.