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Tuesday, June 19, 2012Congress Adds 28 Synthetics / K2 & Spice
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Saturday, May 19, 2012Diazepam and other Benzos (diazepines) take the brakes off of dopamine-producing neurons
Like opioids and cannabinoids, diazepam and other benzodiazepines take the brakes off of dopamine-producing neurons. April 2012 By NIDA Notes Staff
Since their introduction in the 1960s, drugs categorized as benzodiazepines, which include diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), have been widely prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and other conditions. Although they are highly effective for their intended uses, these medications must be prescribed with caution because they can be addictive. Now, work by NIDA-funded researchers has established that benzodiazepines cause addiction in a way similar to that of opioids, cannabinoids, and the club drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The discovery opens the door to designing new benzodiazepines that counteract anxiety but are not addictive.
Dr. Christian Lüscher and colleagues at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, studied benzodiazepines as part of a larger project to identify the point of convergence for all neurobiological pathways to drug addiction. Their findings strongly suggest that this juncture occurs when dopamine surges in response to drug taking initiate a change in synaptic plasticity in dopamine-producing cells.
Posted By: STS First @ 8:37:17 AMTop
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Friday, May 18, 2012RailRoad Admin Proposes New Drug
The Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, published in the Federal Register May 17, 2012, a Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
The NPRM is proposing additional toxicological testing for non-controlled substances to be tested for post-accident tests.
The substances the FRA routinely conducts for post-accident tests are marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), and certain opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. They are proposing adding two types of non-controlled substances which are tramadol (a synthetic opiod) and sedating antihistamines.
Comments must be submitted on or
before July 16, 2012.
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Thursday, May 17, 2012New Type of "bath salts" /AMPED Used In VA.
A new type of “bath salts” called “Amped” is being used in Virginia, poison control officials there report. The drug, sold as a ladybug attractant, is likely also being used in other parts of the country, according to ABC News.
Dr. Rutherford Rose, Director of the Virginia Poison Center, said at least six cases of people ingesting Amped have been reported in the state.
Amped and other bath salts have amphetamine-like qualities. Common effects are teeth grinding, jerking eye movements, profuse sweating, high blood pressure, high body temperature, fast heart rate, anorexia, diminished thirst, paranoia, hallucinations, seizures, significant violent outbursts, self-injurious behaviors and suicidal thoughts and acts. Deaths have been reported as the direct result of the abuse of these drugs.
“Despite laws that have outlawed certain chemicals within these drugs, chemists easily change a chemical or molecule within the compound to give it a similar or more potent property, and, because it is a different chemical entity, it is no longer illegal,” Dr. Rose said. “These drugs are a time bomb. It’s like playing Russian Roulette.”
The drugs carry labels warning against human consumption. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that in 2011, there were 6,138 calls regarding bath salts, up from 304 in 2010. As of March 31, poison control centers received 722 calls about bath salts so far this year.
Posted By: STS First @ 9:31:50 AM
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Saturday, May 5, 2012LAX Screeners Arrested on Drug Smuggling
TSA Screeners at LAX
Arrested on Federal Drug
Trafficking
Corruption Charges
On April 25 two
former and two current Transportation Security Administration screeners at Los
Angeles International Airport were arrested on federal narcotics trafficking
and bribery charges for allegedly taking cash payments to allow large shipments
of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana to pass through x-ray machines at
TSA security checkpoints. Authorities are continuing to search for one alleged
drug courier named in the 22-count grand jury indictment.
The indictment
outlines five specific incidents that occurred between February and July 2011.
In one incident, two defendants allegedly agreed that a drug courier would
bring about five kilograms of cocaine through a security checkpoint that was
being staffed by a defendant; however when the courier failed to follow the
screener’s instructions, TSA officials uninvolved in the scheme seized the
courier’s bag, which was filled with cocaine.
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Friday, March 23, 2012Heroin Proceeds Support Taliban
Haji Bagcho, One of World’s Largest Heroin Traffickers,
—Proceeds Used to Support Taliban—May Have Accounted for 20 Percent of World’s Heroin Production, Over 123,000 Kilograms, in 2006—
March 13 (Washington) – An Afghan national with ties to the Taliban was convicted today by a jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of conspiracy, distribution of heroin for importation into the United States and narco-terrorism, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Administrator Michele M. Leonhart of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Haji Bagcho, from Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, was investigated by the DEA for narcotics offenses. The investigation revealed that Bagcho was one of the largest heroin traffickers in the world and manufactured the drug in clandestine laboratories along Afghanistan’s border region with Pakistan. Bagcho sent heroin to more than 20 countries, including the United States. Proceeds from his heroin trafficking were then used to support high-level members of the Taliban to further their insurgency in Afghanistan.
Beginning in 2005 and continuing for the next five years, the DEA, in cooperation with Afghan authorities, conducted an investigation of Bagcho’s organization. With the help of cooperating witnesses, the DEA purchased heroin directly from the organization on two occasions, which Bagcho understood was destined for the United States. They also conducted several searches of residences belonging to Bagcho and his associates, recovering evidence consistent with drug trafficking.
During one search, ledgers belonging to the defendant were found. One ledger, cataloguing Bagcho’s activities during 2006, reflected heroin transactions of more than 123,000 kilograms, worth more than $250 million, according to Bagcho’s ledger. Based on heroin production statistics compiled by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime for 2006, the defendant’s trafficking accounted for approximately 20 percent of the world’s total production for that year.
The investigation also obtained evidence that over several years, Bagcho used a portion of his drug proceeds to provide the former Taliban governor of Nangarhar Province and two Taliban commanders responsible for insurgent activity in eastern Afghanistan with cash, weapons and other supplies so that they could continue their “jihad” against western troops and the Afghan government.
“One of the world’s most prolific drug traffickers reign has come to an end,” said DEA Administrator Leonhart. “Now Haji Bagcho will serve time behind bars on the same soil he sought to destroy with his drugs, and whose troops he sought to kill through his support to the Taliban. DEA stands committed to stopping narco-traffickers like Bagcho and their funding of terror.”
“Haji Bagcho was a prolific and dangerous heroin manufacturer, trafficking in over 123,000 kilograms of the drug in 2006 alone,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “Moreover, he used proceeds from his crimes to fund Taliban insurgents and fuel their ongoing ‘jihad’ against the United States and others. The effects of Bagcho’s criminal activity were felt all over the world, and today’s guilty verdict ensures that he will serve a lengthy prison term.”
Posted By: STS First @ 2:20:49 PMTop
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Thursday, March 1, 2012NPRM - Spice/K2 Headed Toward Schedule 1
NPRM - Spice/K2 Headed Toward
Schedule 1
("1-pentyl-3- (1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH018), 1-butyl- 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole (JWH073), 1-[2- (4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-3-(1- naphthoyl)indole (JWH200), 5-(1,1- dimethylheptyl)-2-(3- hydroxycyclohexyl)-phenol (CP 47,497), and 5-(1,1-dimethyloctyl)-2-(3- hydroxycyclohexyl)-phenol (cannabicyclohexanol, CP47,497 C8 homologue) including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible")
The temporary scheduling of these synthetic cannabinoids was due to expire on the 29th of February and has been extended through August 29th of this year or until rulemaking proceedings are completed, whichever occurs first.
Please click here to see this order or copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-29/pdf/2012-4916.pdf
The DEA followed-up yesterday's order with a proposed rule in today's Federal Register. This proposed rule will permanently classify the five synthetic cannabinoids as Schedule 1 drugs. The DEA is now accepting written and electronic comments on this proposal through April 30, 2012.
The DEA asks that all comments reference "Docket No. DEA - 345" to ensure proper handling and receipt. Electronic comments can be submitted using the electronic comment form found at the following link: http://www.regulations.gov/#!home
Written comments can be submitted to: The Drug Enforcement Administration, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/OD, 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152.
Please click here for the full notice of the proposed rule or copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-01/pdf/2012-4982.pdf
Thank you, Posted By: STS First @ 11:24:13 AM
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Thursday, March 1, 2012Older Folks Doing Dope
The percentage of American 50- to 59-year-olds who
reported having abused illicit or prescription drugs during the past year more
than doubled, from 2.7 percent to 6.2 percent, between 2002 and 2009. Not
coincidentally, by the end of that period baby boomers—the generation born
between 1946 and 1964—had filled out that age cohort. Baby boomers' histories
of illicit drug use, and their relatively tolerant attitudes toward it, along
with the fact that they now comprise nearly 30 percent of the Nation’s
population, have raised the stakes on understanding and responding effectively
to drug abuse among older adults.
The social and physical changes that accompany aging may
well increase vulnerability to drug-related problems. The loss of loved ones,
juggling of multiple roles, and retirement or other alterations in employment
and income may cause some older people to use illicit drugs as self-medication
for anxiety or depression, especially if they have a history of taking drugs to
cope. Slowing metabolism can increase sensitivity to the effects of drugs.
Furthermore, the effects of drugs of abuse in older adults may be influenced by
age-related health conditions and medications—contingencies that are more problematic
when patients hide their drug abuse.
Scientists have much to learn about the intersection of
drug abuse, aging, and the neurobiological systems that underlie addiction.
Basic animal research will be required to describe the impact of drugs on the changing
neurochemical balance in the aging brain and trace the combined impact of
addictive substances and aging.
We do know that older adults respond at least as well as
younger ones to substance abuse therapies. That is why recognizing drug
problems in older patients is critical. Clinicians need to be aware of patterns
of drug abuse among older people and alert to the possibility that some
physical problems of older adults, for example falls and other accidents, may
stem from illicit drug use. Primary care physicians have a key role in
screening older people for drug abuse and related issues: Although it is not
specifically targeted to the aging population, the NIDAMED toolkit can guide doctors in
assessing a patient’s risk of developing an addiction problem, advising
patients on the health effects of substance abuse, and, if needed, arranging a
referral to specialty care. With this age group, as with every other, the goal
is to help people live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
December 2011
NIDA Director, Nora
D. Volkow, M.D.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011Spice/K2 - After the 3/1 Ban
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Friday, July 1, 2011Cops Grab Meth Lab in a Trailer
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Metro police and the TBI pulled over a truck on Interstate 40 because they had a good idea the people inside were about to cook meth. As soon as Metro police pulled over the truck at the McCory Lane (Interstate 40) exit, they said they found in the back of the truck an active, cooking meth lab, a hazard for everyone around him.
The driver, Daniel Perry, had just been inside a Bellevue drugstore buying pseudoephedrine. They know, because an undercover officer watched him buy it.
"We were working a joint investigation with the Metro Nashville Police Department, where we were looking at high-volume pseudo sales that we thought were being used for meth amphetamine manufacture," said Dale Armour, the assistant special agent in charge for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
"Well, it's an explosives hazard. We had to have the fire department here before we could take it apart," Armour said.
This was the second meth bust in Davidson County (Nashville area) Thursday using this technique.
Earlier, three people were arrested after one of them bought pseudoephedrine in the Wal Mart on Charlotte Pike, and a second person in the same vehicle bought lithium batteries at the Target. Both sales were witnessed by undercover agents. Not illegal - unless you're caught making meth.
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