“In her new memoir, Jodie Sweetin shares with readers her battle with substance abuse, recovery, and relapse. Through her nights of partying with cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine, and the impulsive spending sprees, to her battles with relapse and recovery, she describes the unhealthy lifestyle of an ex-child star, celebrity drug addict, actively using and leading…

“Elections are next week. Why aren’t we hearing more from the candidates in either county about an issue that should be among the top on their list of concerns – heroin? Why aren’t we hearing more ideas about education, prevention, intervention and treatment in every community across Long Island? “ http://www.newsday.com/columnists/other-columnists/candidates-not-addressing-island-s-heroin-problems-1.1546860

“As many as 8% of motorists admit to driving after taking drugs, a poll suggests.” http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5g21i65Mdrk0_pDxGwQk7_NIp5Nng

By Tom McGheeThe Denver Post “Real estate brokers say that Colorado’s medical-marijuana law has sparked a land rush, as entrepreneurs lured by a growing number of licensed users search for properties for growing or selling pot.In a down real estate market, landlords who might otherwise wait for more conventional tenants are snapping at the opportunity…

“They are the drug dealers who hold court deep inside most of Rio de Janeiro’s 1000 slums, surrounded by foot soldiers carrying Belgian-made assault rifles, Israeli pistols, grenades, anti-aircraft weapons and endless rounds of ammunition. The criminals drew international attention this week following bloody shoot-outs that left more than 40 people dead, just days after…

“Mexico’s attorney general gave a speech this week addressing the battle against drug cartels that continue to wreak havoc across the nation. The speech comes one day after the U.S. Justice Department announced a major crackdown on U.S. operations of Mexico’s La Familia drug cartel. Host Scott Simon talks to NPR’s Jason Beaubien in Mexico…

“The drug scene in Van Wert County has taken a dangerous turn. Where last year, the majority of drug cases involved prescription drugs or marijuana, Van Wert Police are now having to deal with a comeback from heroin.” http://timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=155210

Spike in Murder Rate in Juárez Is Among the Factors Boosting Nightlife and Home Sales in U.S. Border City By ANA CAMPOY “EL PASO, Texas — This buttoned-down city on the Mexican border feels like a boomtown these days, as entrepreneurs fleeing drug violence in Ciudad Juárez head across the Rio Grande to open hip…

“DALLAS, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Tomorrow’s “Dan Rather Reports” travels toHouston, Texas to investigate the very legal practice of some so-called “painrelief centers” dispensing potent prescription drugs without a doctor’s careor examination. Many of these centers, that accept cash only, are located instrip malls across the Houston area.” http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS171658+26-Oct-2009+PRN20091026

By January W. Payne “Michael Jackson’s death has brought renewed attention to prescription drug abuse, which has long been a problem for everyday Americans as well as pill-popping celebrities. About 48 million people, or 20 percent of Americans over age 12, have taken prescription medications—often, the painkillers called opioids—for nonmedical reasons, according to the National…