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…
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…
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…
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….
9 year old faces drug charges for sharing cocaine with classmates
An elementary school student in Washington, D.C. is facing drug charges, for sharing cocaine with classmates. School officials say four, eight, and nine-year-old students, ingested the drugs, while others sniffed it. The students were taken to the hospital, but they’re expected to be okay. A letter was sent home to parents alerting them of the…
Hallucinogenic Drug Kills 1 Minn. Teen, 10 Others Hospitalized
One person is dead and 10 more are hospitalized, including two in critical condition after a mass overdose, according to police. Blaine Police responded to a residence on the 9500 block of Monroe Street NE, just after midnight on Thursday for a medical situation involving an alleged overdose of synthetic drugs. Police say the substance…
NATIONAL ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN SUCCEEDS IN LOWERING MARIJUANA USE, STUDY SUGGESTS
The federal anti-drug campaign “Above the Influence” appears to have effectively reduced marijuana use by teenagers, new research shows. A study of more than 3,000 students in 20 communities nationwide found that by the end of 8th grade, 12 percent of those who had not reported having seen the campaign took up marijuana use compared…
DEA bans chemicals used to mimic marijuana
The Drug Enforcement Administration on Tuesday banned for at least a year the chemicals used to make “K2” and “Spice,” popular smokeable herbs that mimic the marijuana high. The DEA used its emergency power to control five chemicals used to coat the herbs. The DEA placed the chemicals into Schedule 1, the most restrictive category…