By Bruce Bower “Depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol dependence and marijuana dependence affect roughly twice as many people as had previously been estimated, a new study finds. Nearly 60 percent of the population experiences at least one of these mental disorders by age 32, say study directors and psychologists Terrie Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi, both of…

By: Kytja Weir “Eight Metrobus drivers failed drug and alcohol tests after accidents, according to the most recent year of data from the transit agency.And Metrobus drivers were more likely to fail the tests than other Metro employees in the past five years, according to an Examiner analysis of data current through May.” http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/8-bus-drivers-fail-drug-tests-after-crashes-8354694.html

By John Hoeffel “Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said Thursday he will prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries for over-the-counter sales, targeting a practice that has become commonplace under an initiative approved by California voters more than a decade ago.”The vast, vast, vast majority, about 100%, of dispensaries in Los Angeles County and the city…

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor “Taking cocaine has become ‘normal’ for young people going to pubs and clubs, Paul Hayes, chief executive of the National Treatment Agency said.He said: “Evidence seems to suggest most of the increase in powder cocaine use is part of a lifestyle rather than a consequence of problems associated with poverty…

“CHAPEL HILL — In a college town where booze is king and pot is popular, the recent arrests of seven current or former UNC-Chapel Hill students on cocaine charges created a stir.” http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/story/135960.html

“The fact is, heroin has become a blight on Long Island. People you would never expect to see using such a retrograde drug – bright, suburban teens with good homes and excellent prospects – are getting arrested for possession and dealing. They are dying of overdoses. The message in that for families like yours is…

Reported by: Antonio Castelan “The drug war violence in Tijuana is spilling over to this side of the border as drug cartel members in Tijuana search for different avenues of make money. In San Diego, we don’t see bloodshed in the streets but, secretly, kidnappings of prominent people are happening. Law enforcement officers claim there…

” Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley declared that all medical marijuana dispensaries in his jurisdiction, including some 800 in the city of Los Angeles, are illegal and will be prosecuted.” http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-dispensaries-targeted,0,4736285.story

By DEVIN ROSE “What has increased, Balles said, is heroin as a motivation for robbery. Bickford, like several suspects involved in robberies in the last few weeks, was known to use heroin, he said. “They’re just trying to get their next fix,” Balles said.” http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_494130ee-b6d8-11de-87f9-001cc4c03286.html

By Sandy Smith “In today’s sluggish economy, most companies are exploring ways they can reduce inventory, personnel and expenses in general. But according to an executive with a Chicago construction association, many businesses may be overlooking a prime cost-saving measure: keeping employees drug-free.” http://ehstoday.com/safety/management/keeping-employees-drug-free-2333/