Drug Threat in Asia: Amphetamines Replace Heroin, Opium

Medindia Blogs» Blog Archive » Drug Threat in Asia: Amphetamines Replace Heroin, Opium: "United Nations report has warned synthetic drugs are replacing traditional plant-based narcotics such as heroin and opium across Asia.
Amphetamine-type stimulants were widely used in East and South-East Asia in 2009 and were being produced in almost every country in the region, the report said — with methamphetamine, known as meth, especially popular.
The drugs are a “critical emerging threat to the region”, said the report released Thursday by the United Nations"

Cocaine alert as drug cocktail linked to lethal blood disorder - Herald Scotland | News | Health

Cocaine alert as drug cocktail linked to lethal blood disorder - Herald Scotland News Health: "Cocaine users have been warned to look out for symptoms of a rare and potentially fatal condition linked to the drug in the wake of a case in the west of Scotland.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed that doctors had treated a user for the blood disorder methaemoglobinaemia, which affects how oxygen is carried in the blood and can lead to coma or death.
A spokeswoman for the health board said the patient had now been discharged from hospital but it would not be releasing any more details about the case.
Methaemoglobinaemia occurs when excessive haemoglobin in the blood is converted to another chemical, known as methaemoglobin, which cannot deliver oxygen to body tissue."

TV shows make DWI convictions hard : News : ConnectMidMissouri.com

TV shows make DWI convictions hard : News : ConnectMidMissouri.com: "Meeting rooms across Missouri filled up with police officers needing a refresher course in DWI investigations Friday.
Prosecutors said DWI jury expectations create new pressures on drunk driving investigations.
However, a new state law offers a new tool to increase their conviction rates.
The situation has changed for officers in the field. First, DWI jury expectations have changed as the result of crime scene investigation TV shows.
'[TV shows] convince everyone that we're always gonna have scientific evidence in every single criminal case we prosecute, which is largely untrue,” Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said. “So they're gonna compare you to that officer on the screen, who's actually an actor.”"

Denton drunk driver with 4 convictions gets life in fatal wreck | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Denton drunk driver with 4 convictions gets life in fatal wreck | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "repeat drunken driver from Lewisville blamed for an Easter morning wreck in which two people were killed has been sentenced to life in prison.
A jury in Denton on Thursday sentenced 30-year-old John Patrick Barton, who apologized in court.
Barto pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of murder and three counts of intoxicated assault with a vehicle. He did not have a plea agreement.
Barton acknowledged driving drunk during the April 4 accident in which his vehicle smashed into one carrying 33-year-old Kandace Hull and her 13-year-old daughter, Autumn Caudle of Argyle. Both were killed."

Drug gangs in England exporting gun culture to Wales - Wales News - News - WalesOnline

Drug gangs in England exporting gun culture to Wales - Wales News - News - WalesOnline: "DRUG cartels travelling to Wales from English cities are paving the way for a gangland gun culture in some of our most popular seaside towns and cities, an ex-convict has warned.
Dealer-turned-author Steve Hackman said gangsters are already targeting Wales, especially picturesque seaside resorts and rural retreats, because they can “slip the net”.
“Drug dealers from England sell all over Wales but specifically Aberystwyth, Newtown and Brecon in Mid Wales, and Wrexham and Rhyl in North Wales, which are mostly the domain of Liverpudlian dealers,” said Steve."

Gastonia Man Charged With DWI After 3 Convictions - News Story - WSOC Charlotte

Gastonia Man Charged With DWI After 3 Convictions - News Story - WSOC Charlotte: "Gastonia man convicted of three DWIs was charged with a fourth on Thursday, Channel 9’s newspaper partner, the Gaston Gazette, reports.
Christopher Pruitt, 40, was charged with DWI after being stopped by police on Dallas-Cherryville Highway at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday.
Pruitt had 'a smell of an alcoholic beverage about his breath, was unsteady on his feet and had red, glassy eyes,' according to a warrant affidavit. Police said he blew a 0.26 on an Intoxilyzer test, which is more than three times the legal limit. North Carolina law considers a driver impaired with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08."

charged with drunk driving for the 14th time

N.S. fugitive nabbed in Ontario - Metro - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "Dartmouth man who fled the province after he was charged with drunk driving for the 14th time was arrested this week on a Canada-wide warrant.
Archibald Daniel Stevens, 51, was on the lam for almost five months before he was apprehended by police in Brockville, Ont.
Halifax Regional Police officers picked him up Wednesday and brought him back to Nova Scotia, where he appeared in Dartmouth provincial court Friday.
Defence duty counsel Pat Atherton told the court Stevens wouldn’t be seeking bail."

Williams loses captaincy after DUI arrest

The Associated Press: Williams loses captaincy after DUI arrest: "Denver Broncos have stripped star linebacker D.J. Williams of his captaincy for the season and won't start him Sunday against Kansas City following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
The Broncos also fined their leading tackler an undisclosed amount for missing practice and a meeting Friday when he was in a detox facility. The team issued a statement saying it was 'extremely disappointed in D.J. Williams' careless and irresponsible actions Friday morning.'
While some fans were wondering why Williams didn't get suspended like wide receiver Brandon Marshall (late for treatment) and Tony Scheffler (insubordination) were for the season finale last year, the Broncos did all they could to punish Williams, who leads the team in tackles and sacks.
It's up to the NFL to fine or suspend a player for alcohol-related offenses. And Williams faces a multiple-game suspension from the league because it was his second such arrest in his seven seasons in Denver. He also had a DUI arrest in 2005, when he pleaded guilty to impaired driving"

Andy Carroll set to face police quiz over 'drugs orgy' - mirror.co.uk

Andy Carroll set to face police quiz over 'drugs orgy' - mirror.co.uk: "Newcastle bad boy Andy Carroll celebrates his winning goal at Arsenal yesterday - as police get set to quiz him over an alleged drug-fuelled orgy.
The striker, 21, managed to put aside his latest scandal to become the hero of the 1-0 victory.
But police said they were taking 'very seriously' reports of his 14-hour booze bender when a substance which appears to be cocaine was taken at club captain Kevin Nolan's mansion. There is no evidence the two Premier League stars snorted the white powder at the house.
Carroll apparently yelled 'Ride me! Ride me!' as he romped with two young women, one in a cat suit, in a bedroom. It is understood Nolan was not involved with any of the girls."