April 14, 2009 04:28 PM CDTBy Taylor Barnhill “An Alabama corrections officer is on the wrong side of the law, arrested after a month long drug investigation. Officials with the undercover operation in Bullock County, Alabama tell us the investigation went off without a hitch, but they had their share of surprises.” To view full…

By RUPA SHENOY Associated Press Writer6:03 PM CDT, April 16, 2009 “An increase in suburban Chicago heroin overdose deaths is linked to gangs’ illegal drug and arms trade with Mexican cartels, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk said Thursday. The north suburban Republican supports national legislation that would put $150 million toward stopping underground trafficking of firearms…

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERGPublished: April 15, 2009 “WASHINGTON — The White House said Wednesday that President Obama was imposing financial penalties on members of three Mexican drug cartels, designating the cartels as “kingpins” on the eve of a presidential visit to Mexico, where the issue of drug violence will be high on the agenda.” To…

By Chris Kraul April 16, 2009 “Daniel Rendon Herrera, accused of drug trafficking and gun running, was found ‘living like a dog,’ police say. His capture could set off a violent power struggle within the illicit drug world.The detention of Daniel Rendon Herrera, 43, described by police as Colombia’s “most wanted criminal,” could set off…

By John Bonifield CNN Medical Producer “Story Highlights:“Tweak” author Nic Sheff is sober after two relapses last yearSheff took first drink at 11; a year later, his dad found pot in his backpackExperts: Quitting drugs difficult because addiction is a brain diseaseIn speaking publicly about addiction, relapses, Sheff hopes to continue his healing” To view…

Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009By SANDRA ENGELLAND “Lee died Jan. 9 after taking two prescription drugs – hydromorphone and morphine – that he bought from a fellow student at Keller High School. Mathews believes the morphine caused the 16-year-old sophomore’s respiratory system to fail.Teens are much more likely to experiment with prescription drugs than illicit substances,…

Mayors say they are the ones personally confronting the toll of drug violence on the streets. Yet they lack any meaningful role in the federal government’s battle against organized crime.By Ken Ellingwood April 15, 2009From the Los Angeles Times “Representatives of drug gangs, armed with campaign cash, often make overtures to political candidates. In return,…

Cheap heroin 2:42CNN’s Carol Costello reports on who Mexican drug cartels are preying upon. Embedded video from CNN Video

By Saundra YoungCNN Senior Medical Producer “The main difference between a recovery high school and a public high school is we’re the true safe and drug-free zone — I mean zero tolerance. As long as there’s drugs you’re gonna need a recovery high school. Until you’ve eradicated drugs, then you can stop having to help…

CNN Video: The Big Business of Marijuana Which drug is the cash cow of the Mexican drug war: cocaine or marijuana? Jeanne Meserve takes a look. Embedded video from CNN Video