drugs

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UN Backs Off Hard Line on Drug Crimes

Today's report marks significant change in attitude

(Newser) - The United Nations did a 180 today on its drug decriminalization stance, praising the policy Portugal instituted in 2001 and asserting it has “not led to an increase in drug tourism” as had been feared, the Huffington Post reports. The annual drug policy report opposed full legalization while conceding...

Blake's Alleged Babymama Evicted

House was being used to deal drugs, say locals

(Newser) - Blake Fielder-Civil, estranged hubby of troubled Amy Winehouse, can add one more thing to his growing list of problems: Gilleen Morris, who says she’s carrying his baby, has been evicted, the Sun reports. Neighbors complained her house was being used as a drug den, and police made arrests during...

Two Minutemen Leaders Held in Ariz. Slayings

Dad, 9-year-old girl killed in raid to steal cash, drugs, cops say

(Newser) - Two of three people arrested in the Arizona murder of a 9-year-old and her father were involved with a small anti-illegal immigrant group, the AP reports. Shawna Forde, the founder of Minutemen American Defense, and Jason Bush, its operations director, were charged with murder, assault, and burglary in the home...

We've Lost the War on Drugs
 We've Lost the War on Drugs 
OPINION
Jun 14, 2009 7:14 AM CDT

We've Lost the War on Drugs

It's time for a new approach: Kristof

(Newser) - The war on drugs has been waged for 40 years, but despite spending $44 billion annually, “the drugs have won,” writes Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times. A former police chief notes that “drugs are more readily available, at lower prices and higher levels of potency—...

Brits Grab $105M in Drugs From Afghan Taliban

Taliban drug factory found and destroyed in Helmand province

(Newser) - British troops have seized a huge stash of Taliban drugs after fierce fighting in Afghanistan, the Telegraph reports. Soldiers from the elite Black Watch squad discovered opium, heroin, and cannabis with a street value of some $105 million after attacking a Taliban drug factory in Helmand province. A number of...

Pregnant Brit Gets Life Sentence in Laos

Convicted of trafficking 1.5 pounds of heroin

(Newser) - A pregnant British woman convicted of drug trafficking in Laos last year has been handed a life sentence, AFP reports. Samantha Orobator, 20, who was nabbed while trying to board a plane to Thailand, had been found found guilty of trafficking 1.5 pounds of heroin, said a UK embassy...

Cuba Open to US Talks on Migration, Mail

Signals cooperation on counterterrorism, drugs, emergency aid

(Newser) - Cuba today said it's ready to restart talks with the US on migration and postal services, the New York Times reports. An American official confirms, meanwhile, that the island nation will also work with the United States on issues including terrorism, drugs, and disaster relief. The development marks another step...

Mexican Heroin Seeps Into Rural US

Mexican cartels push the drug into the heartland

(Newser) - As the battle between drug cartels and law enforcement rages in Mexico, traffickers are gaining footholds in America's Heartland. Ohio saw heroin-related deaths spread into 18 new counties between 2004 and 2007, just one indication that dealers aren't limited to big cities. "It's like going to pick up beer,...

Hendrix 'Murdered by Manager'
 Hendrix 'Murdered by Manager' 
May 31, 2009 6:11 AM CDT

Hendrix 'Murdered by Manager'

(Newser) - Jimi Hendrix's manager murdered the legendary rocker to cash in on a $2 million life insurance policy, an aide reveals in a new book. Hendrix was "worth more dead to him than alive," according to roadie James Wright. Wright said manager Michael Jeffrey confessed to him that he...

Mexican Drug Sweep Snares 10 Mayors
Mexican Drug Sweep
Snares 10 Mayors
May 27, 2009 1:47 AM CDT

Mexican Drug Sweep Snares 10 Mayors

Officials provided 'protection net' to deadly drug cartel

(Newser) - Ten mayors and several police chiefs were busted in a major drug raid yesterday in Mexico's Michoacan state. The public officials provided a "protection net" for the deadly Michoacan Family drug cartel, said law enforcement authorities. The cartel is linked to the murder of 7 people and wounding of...

Drug Users Worldwide Fall into 'K-Hole'

Ketamine remains legal in some places, but can cause severe problems

(Newser) - “Special K” isn’t part of the most important meal of the day. It’s part of a dangerous trend that’s seeing recreational drug users turn to ketamine, a substance commonly used as a horse tranquilizer, GlobalPost reports. In humans, ketamine induces a hallucinogenic, immobile state. “Everything...

Redmond Bids Farewell to Dying Farrah

(Newser) - Farrah Fawcett's incarcerated son, Redmond O'Neal, was allowed out of prison to say farewell to his dying mother, reports the New York Daily News. O'Neal, serving time on drug charges, was allowed to visit his mother at her home the evening a documentary about her battle with cancer, Farrah's Story,...

Ginger Curbs Sickness of Chemotherapy: Study

(Newser) - A dose of ginger or a new anti-nausea drug can make chemotherapy less debilitating, the Los Angeles Times reports. One study showed that capsules of ginger on days before and after treatment reduced nausea in cancer patients by 40%. Normally about 70% of chemotherapy patients endure sickness during treatment. "...

This Ain't Your Dad's Weed: Pot Potency Jumps

THC concentration has been climbing for decades

(Newser) - Marijuana’s average potency, as measured by the concentration of psychoactive component THC, has broken 10% for the first time after decades of steady increase, a government report says—and is expected to keep increasing, CNN notes. Potency will likely plateau at some 15% in the next 5-10 years, though...

Drugs Czar Calls for End to 'War on Drugs'

Change in terminology signals shift in drug policy towards treatment instead of jail

(Newser) - The Obama administration's newly confirmed drug czar wants to ditch the term "War on Drugs," the Wall Street Journal reports. The combative term is a barrier to dealing with the issue properly, said Gil Kerlikowske, highlighting the administration's plans to deal with drug abuse as a public...

Stanford Was a Drug Informant: Report

Fraudster was likely shielded from SEC in 2006 for his trouble

(Newser) - Allen Stanford may have received earlier protection from the SEC by working as a drug trade informant, a BBC investigation has found. The accused fraudster’s bank paid $3.1 million to the DEA a decade ago as a middleman for a Mexican drug lord, and in 2006 an SEC...

Pregnant Brit May Face Laos Firing Squad

(Newser) - A young pregnant Londoner could face a firing squad in Laos if she's convicted of drug smuggling charges in a trial that begins today, reports the Guardian. Samantha Orobator, 20, has not been allowed legal representation in the nine months she has been languishing in notorious Phonthong prison, and it's...

Oakland Proposes Nation's First Pot Tax

City council approves pot levy; voters to decide in July

(Newser) - Oakland’s city council has approved a provision to apply a 1.8% tax to marijuana sold at medical dispensaries. If voters endorse the measure in July, Oakland would be the first city in the US to tax pot, reports the Wall Street Journal. Backers say it would bring in...

Legal 'Party Drug' Blamed for 20 British Deaths

British government slammed for failing to ban GBL

(Newser) - The British government is facing calls to ban a substance doctors blame for at least 20 deaths, the Daily Telegraph reports. GBL—an industrial solvent banned for personal use in the US years ago—is metabolized into banned drug GBH when ingested. Doctors warn that even tiny amounts can be...

WWJD? OK Medical Pot: Pastors
WWJD? OK Medical Pot: Pastors
Apr 29, 2009 1:43 PM CDT

WWJD? OK Medical Pot: Pastors

60 Ill. clerics push lawmakers on cannabis measure

(Newser) - More than 60 Illinois religious leaders want state lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana, saying their faith compels them to show mercy, the Chicago Tribune reports. "Jesus lived his life healing those where he could and bringing those to the absence of pain," said one minister. "This...

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