Drug News You Can Use

Emergency department visits related to “Ecstasy” use increased nearly 75 percent from 2004 to 2008

A new national study indicates that the number of hospital emergency visits involving the illicit drug Ecstasy increased from 10,220 in 2004 to 17,865 visits in 2008 – a 74.8 percent increase. According to this new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) most of these Ecstasy-related visits (69.3 percent) involved patients aged 18 to 29, but notably 17.9 percent involved adolescents aged 12 to 17.

http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1103232942.aspx

The unusual drugs the DEA is monitoring

In 2009, colored ecstasy pills started popping up around the country in the shape of President Barack Obama’s head. Those came on the heels of yellow smiley-faced marijuana gum balls appearing at a Howard County school, THC candy bars called “Stoners” marketed underground in California, and turtle-shaped chocolate psychedelic mushrooms in Oregon. Every year, it seems, people think up new ways to get high. Here are the nine unusual drugs the DEA says saw spikes in usage in the past year. Some are new to the United States and others are making a resurgence, the feds say.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/blog/2011/03/the_new_highs.html

Florida Gov. Rick Scott orders random drug testing of state employees

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order Tuesday that will require random drug testing of many current state employees as well as pre-hire testing for applicants.

“Floridians deserve to know that those in public service, whose salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars, are part of a drug-free workplace,” Scott said. “Just as it is appropriate to screen those seeking taxpayer assistance, it is also appropriate to screen government employees.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/os-rick-scott-drug-testing-state-work20110322,0,2150123.story

Meth may replace crack cocaine as primary drug threat

Methamphetamine continues to be a major drug threat in Louisiana and law enforcement reporting indicates it is replacing crack cocaine as the primary drug threat in some areas because of its availability, low cost and long lasting effects.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20110327/UPDATES01/110327004

DEA Holding Second Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in April

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its community partners will hold the second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at sites throughout the United States. This will be an opportunity for the public to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html