Drug News

A new report shows that behavioral health problems affect every community throughout America – but in unique, and sometimes surprising ways. The report, based on a nationwide survey commissioned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), offers detailed analyses of the substance use problems occurring within these smaller geographical areas. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1008134408.aspx

There has been a lot of recent awareness around drunken driving and underage drinking; however, many people have never heard the term “drugged driving.”Drugged driving is driving while under the influence of a mind-altering substance such as marijuana or prescription drugs. Drugs can impair a driver’s ability to operate the vehicle and lead to car…

A study conducted by researchers at the Brookhaven National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy indicated that physical exercise as an adolescent can decrease cocaine-seeking behavior, at least in young adult rats, as shared in a feature on PhysOrg.com. http://www.drugfreehomes.org/2010/08/exercise-in-teens-can-prevent-future-drug-abuse.html

Young white women are using heroin more than ever before, a Chicago-based study noted. The 10-year study published this year was co-authored by Stephanie Schmitz and Kathleen Kane-Willis of Roosevelt University for The Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy. However, the study found that heroin-related deaths of white women in Cook County increased 40 percent over…

Adolescence is time of great emotional, intellectual and physical growth. It is a very difficult time for teens as they mature and increasingly seek relaxation of parental authority. The use of alcohol and illicit drugs complicate this process and pose significant health risks, including serious emotional and mental health problems, injury, and death. http://ofsubstance.gov/blogs/pushing_back/default.aspx

The California State Supreme Court has ruled that employers have the right to fire potential or current employees, regardless if they’re medical-marijuana patients. Without this ruling, employers would risk violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15733603

MEDICAL experts have called for an urgent strategy to deal with substance misuse among children, after figures showed an alarming rise in pre-teen child referrals to drug and alcohol services. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/08/07/alarming-rise-in-young-children-taking-alcohol-and-drugs-91466-27014953/

As the debate over marijuana legalization heats up, misinformation and inadequate understanding are running rampant. While many proponents of legalization stake the claim that marijuana is a benign drug that charges no substantial toll to society, research and common sense prove otherwise. A critical look at marijuana exposes the societal and cultural dangers the drug…

Companies across the nation are facing issues concerning medical marijuana in the workplace, the Wall Street Journal reports. A Michigan lawsuit against Walmart, where an employee who used medical marijuana was fired after failing a drug test, is of particular interest to corporate HR directors nationwide. http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages/ND0805101.aspx

The Medical Marijuana Act is found in title 50, chapter 46 of the Montana Code. I would encourage all citizens to read this poorly written law. It legalizes, for virtually any medical reason, the use of marijuana, a heretofore illegal recreational drug. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100805/OPINION/8050304/Let+s+clear+up+the+very+flawed+Medical+Marijuana+Act