“Street outreach workers in the report say the rise of marijuana use is due to the large influx of medical marijuana dispensaries coinciding with a diminishing stigma about smoking pot. “It is alarming for us. I think there are major consequences and significant health impacts for any drug that is used or misused and abused,”…

“Contaminated heroin may have caused an anthrax outbreak among drug addicts in Scotland, health officials said on Thursday. The drugs may have killed as many as six people and infected 12 in total.” http://www.huliq.com/3257/90217/anthrax-contaminated-drugs-kill-heroin-addicts-scotland

“Almost 5 percent of aging Baby Boomers in the United States are abusing drugs, a new government report shows. That’s about 4.3 million adults over the age of 50 who are smoking marijuana, abusing prescription medication and engaging in other illicit drug activity — a number that far exceeds that of their parents’ generation.” http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/634785.html

“Troops found more than 5,300 pounds of processed opium, more than 1,000 pounds of wet opium paste, approximately 50 pounds of heroin, and multiple firearms with ammunition were found in the truck, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said.” http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/01/08/afghanistan.drugs.seized/

“A new study has found what appears to be the key behind cocaine addiction, that being that it forces pleasure genes to stay turned on permanently.” http://smartabouthealth.net/drugs/2010/01/08/study-finds-key-behind-cocaine-addiction-pleasure/

“Illegal drugs still make up the bulk of the Mexican cartels’ business, bringing in billions of dollars a year. But the drug cartels respond to market conditions just like other businesses, and — in economic speak –interruptions in their supply chain and the rising cost of sales have pushed them to diversify their business to…

“Although she said it was her first time smoking meth, Ms. Fu, 41, was promptly sent to one of China’s compulsory drug rehabilitation centers. The minimum stay is two years, and life is an unremitting gantlet of physical abuse and forced labor without any drug treatment, according to former inmates and substance abuse professionals.” http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/world/asia/08china.html

“Scientific studies support our work. Depression and marijuana are a dangerous mix for teenagers. Extreme lack of motivation and subsequent school and work failure are a common consequence of marijuana use. Marijuana is also physically addictive and exerts known negative effects on young people like Jonathan.” Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/30/EDOU1B6HMN.DTL#ixzz0bl7dmQVo

“Four family members of a Mexican Naval hero were gunned down this week in an apparent revenge attack by one of Mexico’s top drug cartels, thrusting an already escalating drug war into a dangerous new territory.” http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec09/mexico_12-23.html

“Mexico’s brutal drug war has played out all across the country. But no place has been as hard hit as Ciudad Juarez, the industrial city just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121836013