Category Archives: Drug Dependency

Methadone, a drug available since the 1960s and deemed by the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control as "the most effective treatment for opiate addiction," is in essence a risk-versus-reward system. Proponents say it's better to have addicts of drugs such as heroin and Oxycontin hooked and functioning on methadone -- itself a strong, risky narcotic -- than to be breaking laws to get a fix. But in Minnesota, and the northern tier in particular, that treatment comes at a steep cost, a News Tribune investigation, published Sept. 16, found. Since 2001 in Minnesota, 392 people have died of methadone-involved overdoses. From 2006 to 2010, the number of deaths almost equals those who died from firearms. In the Duluth area, at least 38 users have died from methadone overdoses since 2001. At least 11 of those reported methadone deaths since 2001 are of people with ties to the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa near Cloquet, which helps explain why Carlton County has the highest per-capita methadone death rate in Minnesota, more than three times the state's rate. "If this were bird flu, we'd be on the cover of Time magazine. We'd be in … Continue reading →

Monday, September 10, 2012 Help Needed to get Mexican Drug Traffickers 'Out of the Game' ByPatrick Corcoran A new academic investigation looks at understudied but important elements of Mexico's security challenge: the factors that lead drug traffickers to exit the violent trade, and how to encourage more to follow suit. The study is called "Getting out of the Game: Desistance from Drug Trafficking," and was written by Howard Campbell and Tobin Hansen, professors at the University of Texas El Paso and Oregon State University, respectively. Based on interviews with dozens of former drug traffickers in El Paso and neighboring Juarez, the authors sought to examine what keeps a given trafficker in a life of crime, providing insight into how to facilitate such a transition. Unemployed youth in Mexico, known as "ni-nis" because they neither work nor are they in school (in Spanish, "ni estudian ni trabajan"), number some 8 million, and serve as fertile ground for gangs in need of gunmen, lookouts, and retail drug vendors. Many of the social proposals to target organized crime have focused on how to reduce this number, and therefore reduce the number of bodies interested in working for the nation's various drug trafficking organizations. … Continue reading →

BUTTE, Mont. - A new chemical dependency center could be coming to the Mining City. The Community Counseling and Correctional Service submitted a proposal for the 3-acre, 32-bed facility to be constructed in uptown. People generally don't want to admit if they have a problem with alcoholism or drug addiction. Chemical dependency issues are a rising concern throughout the community. "I think we have a fair number of people that are involved with chemical dependency issues," said Sheriff John Walsh. "I would say a vast majority of people in our detention center have some kind of chemical dependency issue be it drugs or alcohol," Walsh added. Now a better chance at recovery for people struggling with addiction issues could be right around the corner. "I think it's another tool in the tool box for our community to get these people out of the criminal element and into a productive life," Walsh concluded. Some members in the community expressed concern with the idea, saying it could have a negative impact on the surrounding businesses. Read the rest here: New drug treatment facility proposed for Uptown Butte … Continue reading →

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) - An ex-girlfriend of O.J. Simpson wants to have her criminal case transferred to drug court in Minnesota. Thirty-seven-year-old Christie Prody was set to plead guilty Thursday to burglary and drug possession. Instead, the plea hearing was continued until early October to allow time for a drug court evaluation. If the case is accepted for drug court, Prody could begin chemical dependency treatment even before entering her guilty pleas. The Forum reports Assistant Clay County Attorney Jenny Samarzja didn't object. Prody is accused of stealing prescription pills on two occasions from a Moorhead couple while working as an in-home nursing assistant. Prody had a 13-year relationship with Simpson after the NFL Hall of Famer was acquitted in the 1994 slaying of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Link: OJ Simpson's ex-girlfriend seeks Minnesota drug court … Continue reading →

MOORHEAD The ex-girlfriend of O.J. Simpson who was set to plead guilty to burglary and drug possession charges Thursday in Clay County District Court has instead decided to try to have her case transferred to drug court. If the case is accepted by the drug court screener, 37-year-old Christie Prody could begin chemical dependency treatment even before entering her guilty pleas, according to her defense attorney and the county prosecutor. Prody is accused of stealing prescription pills on two separate occasions from a Moorhead couple while working as an in-home nursing assistant. She was charged April 9 with two counts each of second-degree burglary, theft and fifth-degree drug possession. Prody was scheduled to enter pleas Thursday to one count each of burglary and drug possession. Instead, the plea hearing was continued until early October to allow time for the drug court evaluation. Assistant County Attorney Jenny Samarzja didnt object, saying drug court could benefit Prody because of the focus on treatment, weekly court appearances and intense supervision, while still allowing the state to obtain a conviction. The prosecutors office had previously offered the drug court option to Prody, but she declined, Samarzja said. Defense attorney, Mara Rausch said Prody had … Continue reading →

By Steven Kreytak Travis County was once quite proud of its drug diversion court, the second in the state when it was established in 1993. But several of the county's felony judges say the court, which gives addicts the chance to escape a felony charge by submitting to a yearlong, court-based treatment program, has suffered from inattention over the years. A 2009 outside review found that drug court participants had a rearrest rate similar to that of addicts who declined to enter the program. Another review a year later found the court had not been operating according to the latest research and detailed 45 specific shortcomings. Now, county officials have revamped the court's leadership and are implementing research-proven best practices for drug courts, of which there are now thousands nationwide. Judges say the changes will save millions by making a dent in the number of people whose addictions repeatedly push them into the criminal justice system and ultimately into costly jail and prison stays. "Drug court can make more of an impact on this community than anything else we do," said state District Judge Karen Sage, who with fellow Judge Brenda Kennedy has begun presiding over drug court sessions, replacing … Continue reading →

By GILLIAN FLACCUS Associated Press SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - The estranged wife of California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has regained visitation rights with her 9-year-old son while she's facing charges of drug possession and child endangerment. An Orange County judge on Monday granted a modified protective order allowing Nadia Lockyer visitation and telephone calls with the boy after her husband agreed to the changes. Nadia Lockyer pleaded not guilty last month to felony and misdemeanor drug charges after police acting on a tip allegedly found methamphetamine in a home where she was visiting relatives. Nadia Lockyer is a former Alameda County supervisor who resigned after a string of bizarre public incidents she blamed on chemical dependency. She's out on bail on condition that she remain in a drug treatment program. Prosecutors say she could eventually qualify for a diversion program. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read the original: Calif. treasurer's wife regains child visitation … Continue reading →

Nadia Lockyers arrest photo. (Orange County District Attorneys Office) SANTA ANA (CBS / AP) The estranged wife of California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has regained visitation rights with her 9-year-old son while shes facing charges of drug possession and child endangerment. An Orange County judge on Monday granted a modified protective order allowing Nadia Lockyer visitation and telephone calls with the boy after her husband agreed to the changes. Nadia Lockyer pleaded not guilty last month to felony and misdemeanor drug charges after police acting on a tip allegedly found methamphetamine in a home where she was visiting relatives. Nadia Lockyer is a former Alameda County supervisor who resigned after a string of bizarre public incidents she blamed on chemical dependency. Shes out on bail on condition that she remain in a drug treatment program. Prosecutors say she could eventually qualify for a diversion program. (Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) Excerpt from: Ex-Alameda Co. Supe Facing Drug Charges Regains Child Visitation … Continue reading →

MANCHESTER, England, September 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimega Laboratories, a leading provider of drug-testing services (http://www.trimegalabs.co.uk/tests/hair-drug-testing.php), is proud to announce its sponsorship of a charity fundraising dinner in Manchester on 7 September 2012 in association with Stephensons, a firm of solicitors. The event will raise funds for charities in Preston and Wigan, and Macmillan Cancer Support. Luv Preston provides a drop-in service, counselling, advice and meals to the homeless of Preston. Wigan Youth Zone is a centre serving the community of Wigan, providing local children and young adults with a variety of social, cultural and sporting activities throughout the year. Both community-focused charities work hard to provide help and a space that is safe from unwelcome influence and supporting of those who need it the most. Macmillan Cancer provides wide-ranging support to those suffering from cancer and their families. Trimega's expertise in the testing of hair samples for a comprehensive range of drugs is often used in cases where parents have had histories of drug use. The tests are sensitive to a range of substances, including amphetamine, MDMA 'ecstasy', cocaine (including crack cocaine), ketamine, methadone, cannabis and other opiates. The company's technology enables it to show an accurate picture of … Continue reading →

ORANGE (AP) -- Nadia Lockyer, the estranged wife of state Treasurer Bill Lockyer and a former Alameda County supervisor, was charged with drug possession and child abuse after police found her with methamphetamine in an Orange County house where she was staying with her 9-year-old son, prosecutors said Wednesday. The charges are the latest in a series of public substance abuse and relationship struggles faced by Lockyer, 41, who until recently was considered a rising star in Northern California government. Bill Lockyer, 71, the state's former attorney general and current treasurer who helped his wife with campaign funding when she won her supervisor seat in 2010, has filed for divorce and is seeking joint custody of their son. She resigned from the seat in April following a string of bizarre public incidents that she blamed on chemical dependency. Police in Orange received a tip last week that led them to a house where Nadia Lockyer was staying with relatives, district attorney's spokeswoman Farrah Emami said. Lockyer wasn't home, but officers found methamphetamine with paraphernalia used for smoking it. Later when they found Lockyer, she showed "objective signs" of meth intoxication and she was arrested, Emami said. Lockyer pleaded not guilty … Continue reading →