Category Archives: Drugs

"A British man sentenced to four years in jail in Dubai after cannabis weighing less than a grain of sugar was found embedded in the tread of his shoe has reportedly been pardoned ... The 43-year-old was arrested in September [2008] at Dubai International Airport ... Customs officers found 0.003 grams (0.0001 ounces) of cannabis in a cigarette stub stuck on the sole of one his shoes." -- Sky News When I read that I wondered how on earth Dubai customs found the traveller's "stash." I mean, just think about it; thousands of people passing through customs every day and the officials can spot something that tiny on the sole of his shoe! There has to be some kind of logical explanation. Before I go any further, I must explain that the United Arab Emirates (the UAE), while considered perhaps the most liberal of the Arab Gulf states, is fanatically (and irrationally) anti-drug to the point where entering the country with melatonin tablets (an over-the-counter medication used to counter jet lag) or traces in your bloodstream of a whole list of chemicals will get you arrested! Want crazier? It was reported in 2008 that a Swiss national went to jail … Continue reading →

Three arrests following Hamp drugs bust 4:39pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News By Newsdesk A DRUGS bust in Bridgwater saw police seize around 2,000 of illegal substances after the public took a stand. Bridgwater police descended on a house in the Hamp area under a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant on Friday (August 31), following information provided by the community. Officers found around 2,000 worth of cannabis plants, dried vegetable matter believed to be cannabis and white powder suspected to be the amphetamine known as Miaow Miaow. The items were sent for forensic testing. A 55-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and a Class B drug. A 19-year-old woman was also given a cannabis warning for possession. DC David Nash, from Bridgwater Police, said: This was a great result and was due to information provided to us by the public. Residents clearly took a stand against criminal activity in the area and we would encourage the public to keep coming forward with information relating to crime in their community. The cultivation and sale of drugs will not be tolerated in … Continue reading →

A new study has found substance abuse, including alcohol, is common among construction workers. Photo: Erin Jonasson For better or worse, construction enjoys blokey reputation, but new research from Brisbane finds hazardous consumption of recreational drugs and booze the latest problem faced. And the macho culture is partly to blame, alongside high wages and transient job patterns, according the Queensland University of Technology team that led the national survey. The Safety Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Construction study drew nearly 500 workers from all areas of the industry across Australia and involved surveys and interviews over two years. The findings, presented today by project leader Professor Herbert Biggs at an international industry conference in Scotland, showed over 50 per cent of workers consumed alcohol at "hazardous" levels, and a further 15 per cent were at "significant risk of harm". Advertisement More than 30 per cent of respondents used ecstasy or meth/amphetamine-type substances in the past year, and 16 per cent had used cannabis in the same time period. The majority of participants were male, with a mean age of 35. However, industry stakeholders say the trouble went beyond substance abuse. Master Builders Queensland construction policy director John Crittle … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vrslm2/neuroprotection) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Neuroprotection - Drugs, Markets and Companies" to their offering. This report describes the role of neuroprotection in acute disorders such as stroke and injuries of the nervous system as well as in chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders because many of the underlying mechanisms of damage to neural tissues are similar in all these conditions and several products are used in more than one disorder. Over 500 products have been investigated for neuroprotective effects including those from the categories of free radical scavengers, anti-excitotoxic agents, apoptosis (programmed cell death) inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, neurotrophic factors, metal ion chelators, ion channel modulators and gene therapy. Some of the agents are old established pharmaceuticals whereas others are new biotechnology products. Pathomechanisms of diseases are described with steps at which neuroprotective therapies are directed. Diseases covered include cerebrovascular disorders, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and ischemic optic neuropathy as well as retinal degeneration. Although anesthetics such as propofol are neuroprotective as well, neuroprotection during surgery and anesthesia is discussed with the aim of preventing and treating … Continue reading →

P116m in drugs to be torched BAME PIET Staff Writer The drugs were procured during financial years 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09. Mmegi can reveal that another batch of medicines worth P55 million procured during financial years 2009 to 2012/13 is also waiting to be destroyed once the first lot has been torched. Said the Assistant Minister of Health, Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, in an exclusive interview with Mmegi yesterday: "The system is such that drugs are not destroyed annually. We still have the expired drugs from September 2004 to September 2009 waiting to be destroyed, and a formal approval has been released (for P55 million worth of drugs for the period September 2009 to June 2012)." Minister Matlhabaphiri explained that the WHO standards allow for up to five percent of procured drugs to expire and be destroyed. He said there are instances where government is obliged to have drugs for certain diseases such as swine flu, malaria, rabbies, anti-vernom and special diseases or conditions in stock. "We have to have those drugs in stock. We might have, for instance, anti-vernom drugs and very few cases of snakebite so that the drugs then remain unused. But we can't send them back … Continue reading →

31 August 2012 Last updated at 07:21 ET The English Democrat candidate for Lincolnshire police commissioner has pledged to cut crime in the county by 25% by targeting drug offences. Elliott Fountain, a Boston councillor, also said he would make the force tougher. The 33-year-old will compete with Labour, Conservative and independent candidates for the role at the election in November. He said his relatively young age gave him an advantage over his rivals. Police and crime commissioners will be elected to replace police authorities in 41 areas across England and Wales on 15 November. Mr Fountain said if he was elected, reducing crime in the county by a quarter would be his priority from day one. He said: "I'm happy to make a bold statement. I think a lot of the older people who are running for the position don't understand the concerns and problems people have got in Lincolnshire. "I'm the youngest candidate by a long shot. It's all about helping younger people to keep them away from crime, from drugs, from doing things which are wrong. "The biggest cause of crime in Lincolnshire and in the country is without a doubt drugs. Read more: Drugs priority for … Continue reading →

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -08/31/12)- This morning at 9 am, London Drugs will celebrate two important milestones, opening its 76th store in Canada and a particularly special address - 1622 Salt Street, Vancouver's Olympic Village. "Today is the day we open a new London Drugs store in one of the most beautiful city spaces in the world," said Wynne Powell, London Drugs president and CEO. "Our 76th store is unique in a variety of ways, particularly its boutique feel and new store concept, customized specifically for the Olympic Village community. We thank the residents here for being patient and for collaborating in the success of our new store in this vibrant Vancouver neighbourhood." During the past year London Drugs staff began canvasing the Olympic Village, looking at the residential suites and learning about what products and services would best serve the burgeoning seaside community. "We met with residents and we learned about what kind of appliance selections made sense; we became acutely aware of the variety of foods and household storage requirements, smart technological solutions and the community's broad health and wellness needs," said Powell. "Today London Drugs opens its doors to become part of the increasingly vibrant community at The … Continue reading →

By Alan Duke, CNN updated 10:20 PM EDT, Thu August 30, 2012 Sage Stallone died of atherosclerosis, which brought on a heart attack. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Los Angeles (CNN) -- Sage Stallone, the 36-year-old son of actor Sylvester Stallone, died of atherosclerosis, which brought on a heart attack, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner said Thursday. Stallone was found dead in his Los Angeles home on July 13 by his housekeeper, who was asked by Stallone's mother to check on him. No drugs were found in Stallone's body other than an over-the-counter Tylenol-style pain medication, according to Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner's office. Stallone's family was recently notified of the findings, which will be detailed in a full autopsy report to be made public next week, Corral said. Sylvester Stallone made a public appeal last month for an end to "speculation and questionable reporting" about his son using drugs. "Because when a parent loses a child there is no greater pain," Stallone said. "Therefore I am imploring people to respect my wonderfully talented son's memory and feel compassion for his loving mother, Sasha, because this agonizing loss will be felt for the rest of our lives. Sage was … Continue reading →

Drugs or alcohol are suspected as factors in a crash that claimed the life of a Shenandoah man on Aug. 20. Robert G. Ryan, 46, of Shenandoah recently died at Creighton University Medical Center from injuries suffered in a single-vehicle wreck at U.S. Highway 34 and 28th Street. Ryan and Lyle F. Stogdill, 29, of Shenandoah, were westbound on Highway 34 when their vehicle entered the south ditch for unknown reasons, crossed 288th Street and rolled, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The state patrol has now determined that Stogdill was driving the vehicle which was owned by Ryan, not Darnolds Towing, as incorrectly noted in an earlier story about the crash. Ryan, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the truck. According to the state patrol drugs and/or alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. Reporter Mike Brownlee can be reached at (712) 325-5732 or by email at mbrownlee@nonpareilonline.com. The rest is here: Drugs, alcohol possible factors in fatal crash … Continue reading →

30 August 2012 Last updated at 05:52 ET More than 35,000-worth of drugs have been seized in an operation to combat drug-related violence in Southampton. Hampshire Constabulary said it had made more than 70 arrests in the three months since the launch of Operation Fortress, at the end of May. About 74,000 in cash had also been seized, officers said. Police are also working with councils and other agencies to tackle the root causes of illegal drug use. Det Supt Kath Barnes, who is leading the operation, said: "I'm bowled over by the support we have had for Operation Fortress since we launched it - everybody wants to be a part of this because they can really see that it's making a difference. "We have put over half a dozen people in touch with drug treatment services and adult services." Operation Fortress was set up in response to a number of violent incidents in the city, including a shooting and a number of stabbings. Southampton also has the highest proportion of illegal drug users in Hampshire, according to police. "We are going to make Southampton a really difficult place to operate from for dealers," Det Supt Barnes continued. Follow this … Continue reading →