Drug News

“Federal officials believe that drug traffickers are seeking to exploit those ties more than ever, urging family and friends on the American side to take advantage of the hiring rush for customs agents. The majority of agents and officers stay out of crime. But smuggling can be appealing. The average officer makes $70,000 a year,…

“Dec. 17 (Bloomberg) — Two-thirds of cocaine smuggled into the U.S. is laced with a cattle-worming drug linked to a rare immune disorder in a rash of cases, a report says.” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=aN454DsoGaj4

“According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as of July 2009, 69% of seized cocaine lots coming into the United States contained levamisole as an added agent. This report summarizes the investigations in New Mexico and Washington, which suggested that levamisole in cocaine was the likely cause of the agranulocytosis. Health-care providers should consider these…

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-prescription-problem-story,0,4455860.story

“‘When beliefs soften, drug use worsens,’ says Obama’s drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, referring to a study that shows fewer teens believe use of marijuana, inhalants, LSD and Ecstasy is risky.” http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-drug-use15-2009dec15,0,4555460.story

“Charges are pending against an employee of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital who overdosed on drugs that she stole from the hospital.” http://www.pioneerlocal.com/elmhurst/news/1941922,elmhurst-overdose-121709-s1.article

“There are about 120 Starbucks coffee outlets within the Los Angeles city limits. According to the most reliable estimates, there are somewhere between 900 and 1,000 medical marijuana dispensaries.” http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rutten16-2009dec16,0,5241889.column

“Mexico City, Mexico (CNN) — The leader of one of Mexico’s top drug cartels was killed Wednesday night in a shootout with navy personnel, the Mexican navy reported.Arturo Beltran Leyva, head of the Beltran Leyva cartel, was killed in the Mexican city of Cuernavaca, the navy said.His brother, who was known as Mario Alberto Leyva…

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – A controversial move by the U.S. House of Representatives has given the green light on some hot-button issues, including lifting a ban on the District’s medical marijuana law.” http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/house-lifts-dc-ban-medical-marijuana-121009

“For some users, prescription-strength pain pills are how they get by until the next dose of heroin. For others, pills are how they start down a dangerous path.” http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/article/20091210/NEWS01/912100322