Society
90 articles
Old Enough To Fight and Maybe Die - Old Enough To Drink?
Government Employees In OxyContin Scam
Miami police arrested 56 government employees yesterday, on charges relating to a grand-scale insurance fraud to obtain prescriptions for the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin.
Depressed Woman Caught Smiling on Facebook Gets Medical Benefits Cancelled
A Canadian women who had been receiving disability checks for serious depression was told to get back to work because of pictures on her facebook page that show her smiling and laughing.
Police Hold Disabled Man on Suspicion of DUI. Suspicious Behaviors Actually a Result of Brain Injury, Not Intoxication
Ryan Dinsmore was arrested and held for 3 hours under suspicion of DWI. His disability led officers to think him intoxicated.
Former Cowboys Running Back Sentenced to 5 Years For Selling Crack
A $5000 sale of crack cocaine to police informants earned Tony Hambrick 5 years in state prison.
Virginia Prosecutor Invokes Ancient State Law to Charge a Man With "Habitual Drunkenness"
If convicted of being a "habitual drunkard", Michael S. Roberts of Gloucester Virginia would face a fine of up to $2500 for the possession or consumption of alcohol.
Fed Ex Delivers 200 Pounds of Marijuana to Wrong Address
A Fed Ex screw up this week led to police arresting a Baltimore man on distribution and smuggling charges, and the end of a major marijuana ring.
Arrested Heroin Trafficker Won’t Go to the Bathroom – Makes Police Wait 16 Days for Their Evidence!
Swansea police were forced to wait and watch as a determined drug dealer held heroin in his stomach for an astonishing 16 days, while refusing to go to the toilet.
Two New Yorkers Spend a Week Behind Bars for Candy that Looked Like Crack
Pair spends a week behind bars after police find a bag of candy – and think they’ve found crack cocaine.
Drunken Santa Claus Arrested While Looking for Reindeer
A bumbling man in a Santa suit approached and hugged a group of children in Wisconsin, wanting to know where his reindeer were. Santa got cited for alcohol but the children say they knew he wasn’t the real Santa, because “Santa doesn’t drink alcohol”.
Baby Boomers Still Using Drugs as They Stumble Towards Older Age
SAMSHA says that if baby boomers keep at it, the need for older adult drug treatment programs is going to double by 2020.
Drinking and Driving Declines – Drivers on Drugs Still a Big Problem
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's survey test of 11000 motorists across the country reveals a continuing decline in alcohol intoxication while driving. 16.3% of weekend nighttime drivers, however, tested positive for drug use.
Felony Charges For Swallowing A Joint
SYRACUSE, NY -- According to a police report, the 51 year-old George Ellmore was arrested for swallowing a marijuana cigarette in front of an approaching Syracuse police officer.
Another Vick Going to Prison? Virginia Tech Star Marcus Vick Arrested for DUI, Reckless Driving and Fleeing the Scene
Marcus Vick is out on bail for now, but a string of charges have him summoned to court in Norfolk Va on Monday.
Broadcom Billionaire Nicholas Indicted for Drugs Charges - Including Slipping Ecstasy into Employees Drinks!
Henry Nicholas faces as many as 370 years in federal prison if convicted on all financial and drugs charges arrayed against him. He surrendered to FBI agents today.
Traces of 6 Medications Found in DC Drinking Water
DC residents are taking more medicine than they think they are.
Warning – Watching Avatar Can Cause Depression
For some people, experiencing the immersive alien world of Pandora makes real life hard to take by comparison.
S.D. Woman Found Behind the Wheel with a 0.708 Blood Alcohol Content – 9 Times the Legal Limit!
Although a BAC of 0.35 or greater can, in some cases, be fatal; Marguerite Engle of South Dakota managed to get behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.708.
Police Raid Christian Church Event for Drugs
Police raided a Christian church music event in Acme Pennsylvania over the weekend, arresting 21 and seizing a significant quantity of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Medications Linked to Falls and Deaths amongst the Elderly
Elderly people taking certain medications, like antidepressants or benzodiazepines, are more likely to suffer injuries or deaths from falling.
New Study Says ER Docs Should Test All Patients for Alcohol
It has long been known that a substantial percentage of trauma victims in hospital emergency rooms present with an elevated blood alcohol level – but a new study shows that testing for alcohol in ERs, instead of just asking about drinking, helps to identify people with likely alcohol use disorders and helps to predict further medical complications.
Mike "Mad Dog" Bell Dies at a California Rehab
The late professional wrestler has been battling with addictions to both alcohol and painkillers. He was found dead by a roommate at the Ramona House treatment center, in Cosa Mesa, CA.
Mom Arrested After 4 Year Old Goes to School Drunk
A 34 year old Oklahoman woman spent a night behind bars after her 4 year old daughter went to school, drunk.
Man Blames Jack Daniels Steak Sauce for Alcohol in Blood
Wisconsin man blames steak sauce, eaten the night before, after failing breathalyzer test.
God Arrested for Cocaine Distribution - Nabbed Near Tampa Church
God Lucky Howard of Tampa saw his luck run out after undercover police found him with 22 grams of cocaine.
Cleveland Browns Receiver Dante Stallworth Suspended for 2009 Season for DUI Manslaughter
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dante Stallworth will sit out the 2009 football season, a suspension imposed by league commissioner Roger Goodell, as a consequence for a DUI accident in Florida that left a man dead.
Concealed Firearms Now Legal in Arizona Bars!
As of today, gun toting Arizonians are welcomed into bars, as long as they conceal their weapons and refrain from drinking alcohol while inside.
Too Many Pregnant Women in Indiana Use Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs
Researchers at the University of Indiana say that roughly 10% of Hoosier women drink, 5% drug and 20% smoke their way through pregnancy.
NFL Receiver Stallworth to Serve Just 30 Days for DUI Manslaughter
Dante Stallworth got into his 2005 Bentley with a BAC of 0.126 and drove into Mario Reyes, killing the 59 year old construction worker. For his crime, the NFL receiver will serve 30 days in county jail.
Arizona Judge Denies Breathalyzer Evidence in Court - Hundreds of Cases Affected
As many as 120 defendants won't have their DUI blood alcohol results used against them in court after an Arizona judge denied the validity of readings taken from a certain machine.
Drunk Baby Leaves Couple Behind Bars
An 11 month old baby found with a blood alcohol content of 0.118 has left two facing serious prison time.
Beer Rich McCain - A Budweiser President?
Beer sales earn presidential candidate John McCain a lot of money. Will he be, as some activists worry - a Budweiser president?
Ex Chicago Bear, Cedric Benson, Ordered to Get Alcohol Igition Lock After DUI Arrests
Benson must install the device as a condition of his bail on 2 recent DUI charges.
Congressman Vito J. Fossella Faces 5 Days in Prison After DUI
Under Virginia law, any person caught driving with a blood alcohol level of greater than 0.15 faces a 5 day minimum jail sentence.
Environmental Differences of Opinion Cause Relationship Strain
Therapists say they’re seeing more cases of environmental relationship strain – difficulties that occur when one member of a relationship becomes far more environmentally active than another.
North Dakota Woman Faces Probable Jail Time for Breastfeeding While Intoxicated
A mom caught breastfeeding while intoxicated faces up to 5 years in prison. The arresting police department defends the arrest despite great controversy. Many agree that the police were right to protect the infant, others ask, "where do we draw the line?"
The Boy Has Funky Soul. Teen Arrested After His Strange Dancing Causes Police to Search Him for Drugs
A Wisconsin teen faces drug charges after his erratic dancing at the weekend's Hispanic Festival in Sheboygan attracted the attention of passing police.
NYPD Detectives Caught on Video Framing 2 Innocent Brothers on Drugs Charges
Max and Jose Colon spent a night in jail after arresting officers reported buying cocaine from the 2 that they described as drug dealers. Surveillance camera footage proves the brothers' innocence and leads to charges against the arresting officers.
Toronto Police Arrest 2 Dirty Cops in Marijuana Grow-Op Bust
Officers Kevin Bourne and Patrick Lee face drug trafficking charges in connection with a marijuana grow-op crack-down in Toronto.
Teen Charged For Giving Marijuana to 2 Year Old
Angel Dailey, 16, awaits trial in juvenile lock-up, on felony charges of corrupting a child with drugs.
Rep. Sullivan Back in Washington after Alcoholism Treatment at Betty Ford
Congressman Sullivan has completed an alcohol treatment stay at The Betty Ford Center in California and is returning to Washington to resume his duties. He calls his public need for help "embarrassing" but addiction experts say that his high profile treatment stay will likely inspire others to get needed treatment.
Speed Keeps MLB Players Speedy – The Rising Use of ADHD Drugs in Baseball.
Federal Study Shows That More Than Half of Arrested Men Test Positive for Drugs - In Chicago, 87% Do!
A federally funded research project shows that drug use rates by those arrested in 10 major American cities far exceed drug use rates in the general population.
Urine Tests for Smart Drugs before University Exams – Coming Soon?
Ritalin, Adderall and Modafinil are increasingly abused on college campuses to boost academic performance. Some say that these smart drugs give users an unfair competitive advantage and that drug testing before exams may be an option worth considering.
NASCAR Driver Admits to Using Heroin Before Racing
Aaron Fike says that his story is proof that NASCAR's drug testing policy doesn't work.
Oregon Man Indicted on Manslaughter Charges After Friend Dies from Heroin Overdose
An Aloha Oregon man, who delayed getting his unresponsive housemate medical care so that authorities would not visit his drug filled house, has been indicted on manslaughter charges.
Off Duty NYC Police Detective Shoots Suspect While Drunk
Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC called a shooting by an off duty and drunk policeman over the weekend, appropriate action.
NYC Cocaine Dealing Cop Arrested
Not a proud week for NYC cops. One arrested for drug dealing, another arrested for assisting in a prostitution ring which employed victims as young as 13.
Stoned Puppy Lands Illinois Man Behind Bars
A Wheaton Illinois man has been sentenced to 60 days behind bars for stealing a puppy, and then getting that puppy high on marijuana.
Aging Baby Boomers Are Still Getting High; Reports SAMHSA
Illegal drug use by those between the ages of 50 and 59 has doubled since 2002, reports the American Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
American Teens Are Smoking and Drinking Less than Teens from Other Developed Countries
American teens are smoking and drinking less than teens from just about every other developed country – they remain the most obese, however.
At College Bars - The Cheaper the Drinks the Higher the Average BAC
For every $1.40 decrease in the cost of a standard drink at bars targeting college students, patrons are 30% more likely to exceed a BAC of 0.08, according to researchers at the University of San Diego.
Must Have - Baby for Sale!?! Vancouver Police Rescue Infant Put up for Sale on Craigslist
A Canadian grandmother was shocked when she saw an internet ad for a "Baby for Sale". She called the police and police found the baby.
8 Years of War Causes a Sharp Increase in American Military Binge Drinking Rates
American soldiers have been at war and in active combat for 8 years, and the strains of such a long military deployment are taking a very human toll.
University of Berkley Researcher Says the Glamorization of Drugs in Rap Music Has Increased Dramatically
Drug references in rap music rose 600% between 1979 and 1997.
Jail Guard Arrested for Delivering Drug Filled Tacos, Chili and Pizza to Inmates -
Texarcana jail guard Jordan Waller was arrested on Saturday after caught trying to smuggle tacos with hidden syringes inside, into the county jail.
How do depression, drugs and alcohol creep into the lives of high achievers ultimately leading them to drug rehab?
Why do high achievers like doctors and lawyers, politicians and professional athletes, famous actors and rock stars, business owners and executives succumb to drugs, alcohol, and depression? The answer is simpler than you might think. Recent results from surveys and research conducted by a drug treatment website have shown highly productive people have made up the majority of the populations at many drug/alcohol treatment centers.
In Cities, More Alcohol Outlets Mean More Simple and Aggravated Assaults
Two Indiana State University professors say that the more alcohol outlets you find in any given urban area, the greater the numbers of simple and aggravated assaults - and that carry out alcohol outlets (such as licensed convenience stores) are responsible for 1 in every 4 assaults.
Concussion Worries Temper This Year’s Super Bowl Excitement
NFL players are 19 times more likely to suffer early Alzheimer’s - Can the NFL protect its players from concussion through rule changes?
Wal-Mart Fires Employee for Medical Marijuana Use
A Michigan Wal-Mart fired Joseph Casias for failing a drug test, even though he is legally allowed to use marijuana to treat his sinus cancer.
2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Reveals Huge Increase in Illegal Drug Use
From 2008 to 2009 marijuana use went up 8% and the number of meth users increased by a whopping 60% - this according to the just released 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Women at Increased Risk of Domestic Violence during World Cup
Worldwide, experts say that women are at an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence during the alcohol soaked days of the world cup soccer tournament.
Canadian Teens Spend as Much as 7 Hours a Day in Front of a TV or Computer Screen
A Canadian survey finds that teens are getting heavier and spending a lot of time in front of TVs and computers; and that nearly a third report elevated psychological distress.
High School Seniors Say “Expect Drinking and Driving on Prom Night”
90% of high school seniors say that their classmates are likely to drink and drive at prom.
Substance Abuse, not Mental Illness, the Real Cause of Violence
Researchers say that people with mental illness that do not abuse substances are no more likely to engage in violence than people from the general population.
Pharmaceutical Companies Using Children in Poorer Countries to Test Medications for Developed World
Drug companies are using children in developing world countries like Uganda and India to test experimental medications.
Coffee Addicts Get No Real Benefit from Morning Cup of Coffee
Although a morning cup of coffee is a must have for most regular coffee drinkers, that cup of coffee makes us no more alert or energized than non coffee drinkers who do not start the day with caffeine.
Charity that Sterilizes Female Drug Addicts Coming to UK
An American charity that pays alcoholic and drug addicted women to get sterilized ($300) is heading overseas to set up operations in the UK.
Youth Exposed to a Lot of Alcohol Marketing Online
Researchers at American University in Washington D.C. say that underage consumers now receive a bombardment of alcohol advertising through diverse digital media platforms; and that by using social networking or sites like YouTube, marketers avoid limitations on access to this important but supposedly ‘protected’ demographic group.
Backcountry Marijuana Grow Operation Uses Black Bears to Guard Crops
Police say they found 10 black bears patrolling the fields of a marijuana plantation in B.C. Canada. The bears, they say, were paid in dog food for their security efforts.
The Latest Silicon Valley Trend: Free Beer and Wine at Work
To compensate for the long hours demanded by Silicon Valley start ups, many employers now offer free beer and wine on the job as a standard perk of employment.
Critics Blast Mike’s Hard Lemonade for Breast Cancer Awareness Promotion
Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Chamborg liqueur are 2 big name alcohol makers who’ve attached their marketing message to a promotion for breast cancer research – but since even moderate alcohol consumption is proven to increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, many are questioning the appropriateness, and even the sincerity, of the informal partnership.
DUI Numbers Down, But 40 Million Americans Still Drive While Intoxicated Every Year
The bad news is 40 million Americans drove a car while drunk or high last year. The good news - this is actually a decline from the numbers that got behind a wheel while buzzed just a few years ago.
Married Father Sues GlaxoSmithKline over Parkinson's Drug That Induced an Addiction to Gay Sex
Didier Jambart, a 51 year old French man, is suing a pharmaceutical company and his neurologist for failing to warn him of the possible side effects of a Parkinson’s medication he was prescribed.
30% of American Teens Commit a Violent Act Each Year
A third of American teens engaged in violent acts over the past year.
Jail Smugglers Paint Dissolved Drugs onto Coloring Books
New Jersey prison authorities arrest 5 after uncovering a drug smuggling operation wherein Suboxone was mailed to prisoners - dissolved and painted onto the pages of children’s coloring books.
Study Says Safe Injection Facilities Reduce Overdose Deaths
Researchers say that North America’s only safe injection facility, Vancouver’s Insite safe injection clinic, is responsible for reducing overdose deaths by 35% in one of Canada’s most addiction plagued neighborhoods.
English Man Dies of Caffeine Overdose
His family calls for a ban of the sale of pure caffeine powder, which can be bought easily and cheaply over the internet.
Researchers Say America Is Getting Dangerously Fat
Some disturbing facts from a report from Trust for America’s Health, entitled ‘F as in Fat’ include that two thirds of American adults are now overweight and that 20 years ago, not a single state had an obesity rate above 15% - now every state does.
Incarcerated Black Men Have a Longer Life Expectancy than Free Black Men
Due to better health care in prison, reduced violent crime and less access to drugs and alcohol, a Black man in America is about half as likely to die while incarcerated as he is while free. This disturbing truth that was unearthed by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during a decade long study of inmates in the North Carolina criminal justice system.
Religion Linked to Happiness in Poorer Societies
Researchers say that in societies of scarcity, religious people are happier than non religious people, but that in societies of abundance, religious and non religious people are about equally happy.
Watch 6 Hours of TV Per Day? Expect to Die 5 Years Earlier
OK, so we all know that spending a lot of time each day staring at a TV set is hardly conducive to excellent health, but just how bad is that couch potato lifestyle when it comes to affecting life expectancy?
Low Omega 3 Levels a Greater Predictor of Military Suicide than Combat Trauma
US military study shows that low Omega 3 levels are linked to an increased risk of suicide.
For Women, Lower Legal Minimum Drinking Ages Linked to Increased Suicide and Homicide Risk
Need more evidence for the sensibility of a mature minimum drinking age (21)? Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say that women who grew up in states with lower legal minimum drinking ages were significantly more likely to fall victim to homicide or suicide over a lifetime.
Nebraskan Sioux Tribe Sues Beer Makers for Aiding in the Smuggling of Alcohol into a Dry Community
Community elders say beer makers selling 4.9 million cans of beer to a town of 11 people right next to their reservation are complicit in an illegal smuggling operation into their dry community.
HIV Rates Down Among Injection Drug Users
The CDC says the HIV infection rate among injection drug users has been reduced by half over the last 20 years. Health experts credit an increase in needle exchange programs for the reduction.
Americans Won’t Pay as Much to Prevent Mental Illness as Physical Illness
Even though people say mental illness would have a greater impact on quality of life, they’re not nearly as willing to pay to prevent it as they are to prevent physical illnesses.
Scientists Develop Non Intoxicating Medical Marijuana
Israeli scientists have developed a new strain of non intoxicating marijuana for use by medical marijuana patients.
The Power of the Group? Spirituality without Religion Ups Mental Illness Risk
Researchers say that people who navigate spirituality without religion are more likely to have addiction and mental health problems.
It’s Hip to Be Sober
A mindful sober subculture is emerging, indicating that we’re seeking out deeper, more meaningful connections to others.