Anna Nicoles ex,two doctors facetrial in drug case Oct 31, 2009
A judge who heard sometimes shocking testimony about the flood of drugs provided to Smith ruled there was sufficient evidence to try the defendants on charges of conspiring to give Smith sedatives and opiates. Their lawyers had argued that lawyer Howard K. Stern, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and psychiatrist Dr. Khristine Eroshevich tried desperately to save the doomed model in her waning years, including a period when she gave birth to a daughter and lost her grown son to a drug overdose. (MSNBC -- News)
Another view: New marijuana approach welcome Oct 31, 2009
tymtpunk wrote on Oct 30, 2009 9:44 AM:" Cal- pull your head out of the sand. I know of plenty of people who use this medicinal herb to alleviate the symptoms of glaucoma, arthritis, and macular degeneration. These people are well in to their 80s. We, as a country, allow people to abuse the system and get narcotics such as synthetic opiates or anti-depressants that are made in a lab by man. Why not let God's medicine help these people? Medical marijuana has been clinically proven less harmful... (Montana Standard, MT)
Anna Nicole's doc wrote about kissing her in diary Oct 29, 2009
However, Gagne stood by earlier testimony that Kapoor gave Smith excessive dosages of opiates and sedatives. A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Witness: Anna Nicoles Doctor Kept Hidden Medical Record Stash Oct 29, 2009
However, the witness stood by earlier testimony that Kapoor gave Smith excessive dosages of opiates and sedatives. Kapoor is another of the three defendants charged with illegally funneling drugs to Smith. (KWTX.com, TX)
Witness: Doctor Had Hidden Records On Smith Oct 29, 2009
However, Gagne stood by earlier testimony that Kapoor gave Smith excessive dosages of opiates and sedatives. Copyright 2009 by. (Click2Houston, TX)
Smith Case: Witness Retracts Testimony Oct 29, 2009
However, the witness stood by earlier testimony that Kapoor gave Smith excessive dosages of opiates and sedatives. Kapoor is one of three defendants charged with illegally funneling drugs to Smith, who died of an accidental overdose in 2007. (CBS News)
Expert: Anna Nicole given hospital heroin Oct 28, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Anna Nicole Smiths doctor was feeding her addiction to prescription medications by excessively prescribing opiates, including a drug nicknamed hospital heroin, a pain management expert testified Tuesday ... Is it your position that Anna Nicole Smith should not have been treated with opiates ... Prescribing opiates to such a person is feeding the addiction, not treating the underlying pain. (MSNBC -- News)
Witness: Anna Nicole Was Prescribed Excessive Medication Oct 27, 2009
LOS ANGELES (October 26, 2009)--Anna Nicole Smith's psychiatrist was prescribing excessive medication at a time when other doctors were giving the former Playboy model opiates and other drugs, Dr. Timothy Botello, an expert in psychiatry, testified Monday. The testimony came at a preliminary hearing for three defendants accused of illegally giving Smith drugs. (KWTX.com, TX)
HDNet's 'Dan Rather Reports' Exposes Texas 'Pill Mills' Oct 27, 2009
That these centers attract illegal drug traffickers from nearby states such as Mississippi and Louisiana who allegedly fill prescriptions of powerful and addicting opiates, painkillers and anti-depressants and take them back home to sell on the black market. "What we see from the people we arrested from owning these clinics are your former crack or cocaine dealers from the '80s or '90s who are now getting into the pill business as an illicit commodity," said John Kowal, a veteran narcotics... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Afghan women fear return to Taliban control Oct 26, 2009
Legalise opiates internationally and put them on prescription, thereby legitimising the growing of opium poppies. Illegal profits are no longer there to be made, and the clandestine export of opium from Afghanistan will decline (the backloads are Korans and AK-47s). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Doctor details struggle with gunman in Bellevue Oct 24, 2009
In a criminal complaint against William Scannell, the man charged in the doctor's robbery and assault, police said that he fled Dr. Jian's Bellevue office with $330 and 67 tablets of suboxone, a prescription given to treat addiction to opiates, such as heroin. Police said Mr. Scannell fired four shots during the robbery and struck the doctor and his wife, Forouhar Jian, with a silver handgun before fleeing the professional building, spawning a manhunt that ended early yesterday, when Allegheny... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
* Afghan poppies fuel drug market Oct 23, 2009
Worldwide, only 20 percent of Afghan opiates are intercepted before reaching addicts, while twice as much cocaine from South America is seized, the study said. The value of heroin also increases with each border crossing X from about US$3 a gram in Kabul to up to US$100 on the streets in London, Milan or Moscow. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Pharmacist refused to provide drugs for Smith Oct 23, 2009
He said the one prescription he refused to fill was a request on Sept. 15, 2006, for six drugs, including opiates and the painkiller methadone. Freeman said he recalled thinking that "if she got a hold of these medications, it could have fatal consequences.". (MSNBC -- News)
UN details "devastating" impact of Afghan opium Oct 22, 2009
Some are devastating," said Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "I urge the friends of Afghanistan to recognize that, to a large extent, these uncomfortable truths may be the result of their benign neglect," he said at Wednesday's unveiling of the report. Western nations have 100,000 troops in Afghanistan battling Taliban insurgents, but the report said the failure to crack down on production of opium -- the basis of heroin -- has... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Kenya: Aids Prevention Amongst Drug Users a Challenge Oct 22, 2009
UNODC estimates there are 100,000 cocaine users, 200,000 using opiates like heroin and four million who smoke cannabis. In the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya's main port, which has the country's highest concentration of substance abusers, Masudi Omar of Reachout Centre Trust, a drug addiction treatment centre, says it's vital that AIDS prevention programmes reach this demographic. (allAfrica.com)
Click to read:Exclusive: Mexican Drug Cartels in Atlanta Oct 22, 2009
War on drugs was lost ,long before Iraq & Afghanistan were lost -the nation may have been a lot more free when Sears sold opiates for ten cents a bottle. by Martha12345 October 21, 2009 11:42 PM EDT. (CBS News)
Afghan opium fuels 'global chaos' Oct 22, 2009
The UN says corruption, lawlessness and uncontrolled borders result in only 2% of Afghan opiates being seized locally. The UN says more Russians die annually from Afghan drugs than Soviet soldiers were killed during its Afghan conflict. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Hawaii drug use holds steady, lab says Oct 20, 2009
Meanwhile, use of amphetamines, cocaine and opiates stayed about the same compared to the third quarter of 2008 ... Opiates or prescription drugs: 0. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Fewer local workers test positive for opiates in third quarter Oct 20, 2009
The number of workers and job candidates testing positive for use of opiates and prescription drugs with opiates fell significantly over the past year, according to the latest data from Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc., the state's largest locally owned drug testing company ... Carl Linden, Diagnostic Laboratories scientific director, said he was unsure why opiate usage had declined over the past year, but that it followed a increase in usage of opiates over the past several years. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Anna Nicole's end: Drugs from baby bottle Oct 19, 2009
Stern has pleaded to 11 felony counts, including prescribing, administering or dispensing a controlled substance to an addict, obtaining a prescription for opiates by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Eroshevich and Kapoor are each charged with six felony counts, including unlawfully prescribing a controlled substance, prescribing, administering or dispensing a controlled substance to an addict and conspiracy to commit a crime. (CNN)
Court hears of Anna Nicole Smith's last days Oct 15, 2009
But a taskforce spent two years investigating how she obtained opiates, sedatives and other drugs - 44 medications - in the period before her death. Los Angeles prosecutors eventually charged two California doctors who wrote her prescriptions, Khristine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor, and her boyfriend and lawyer, Howard Stern, earlier this year. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Investigator gives details of Anna Nicole death Oct 14, 2009
Danny Santiago, special agent for the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, said investigators found 12 types of prescription drugs, including dangerous opiates, in the hotel room. Seven of them were prescribed using Stern's name, although spelled "Stearn," he said. (CNN -- Law)
Superficial politics of distraction not limited to the U-S of A Oct 14, 2009
Some opiates will cause different results in the same person. In my experience, and the literature s I can get better pain relief in most people from ANSAIDS (anti-inflamatories) than Darvocet. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Anna Nicole: Enough Evidence for Trial? Oct 14, 2009
Search warrant affidavits suggest Stern put his name on prescriptions for opiates that were given to Smith, and claim 44 different medications were prescribed for Smith under a number of other names, including Stern's. Stern is named in all 11 counts of the complaint. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
• Drug testing update Oct 11, 2009
The urine test will be able to detect the presence of, for example, opiates, alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines, and Phencyclidine. How often or how close the drug use is to the actual test will effect whether or not the test can detect the drug's presence. (Juneau Empire)
DA's take on the town's youth Oct 11, 2009
Unlike its neighbors to the north such as Winchester, Woburn, Wilmington and Reading Arlington has not had major problems with heroin and synthetic opiates, Leone said. The town has also been insulated from a war among cocaine and marijuana dealers going on in the Rindge Towers across the border in Cambridge, he said. (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Click to read:McChrystal Wanted 50,000 Troops Oct 8, 2009
Also we should Legitimize the Poppy problemBy allowing the Pharmaceutical companies toPurchase the Afghan Crops for medicinal manufacturing--Currently there is a real shortage of opiates worldwideFor pain medication manufacturers. This would rob the Taliban of their moneyBut also would allow the Farmers a living,Without destroying their only livelihood. (CBS News)
Homegrown Pot Threatens Mexican Cartels Oct 8, 2009
Well past time to completely legalize marijuana since the completely failed WAR on drugs has been a complete and utter debacle, and let law enforcement concentrate totally on meth, cocaine and opiates. by lovegetpeace October 7, 2009 11:46 AM EDT. (CBS News -- US)
New Vaccine May Immunize Addicts from Cocaine's Pleasurable Effects Oct 7, 2009
Unlike opiates such as heroin or prescription painkillers, there is no medication specifically approved to help curb cocaine consumption. Now, an experimental vaccine offers hope for a new approach, researchers say, that spurs on antibodies, which bind with cocaine molecules and apparently helps some stop feeling the pleasurable effects of the drug thus deconditioning them out of their dependency. (Scientific American)
School Board approves policy for drug testing Oct 7, 2009
As per draft rules and regulations and board discussion, students may be tested for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, opiates, oxycodone, methamphetamine and steroids. Alcohol and tobacco cutoff levels are not yet established. (Juneau Empire)
CFS/ME and Stimulants Oct 6, 2009
Interestingly many stimulants (like amphetamines and methylphenidate) also have pain-relieving properties and they tend to boost opiate analgesia while reducing the sedation caused by opiates. There are case reports of dexamphetamine helping refractory interstitial cystitis (a painful condition of the bladder) and intractable pain from rheumatoid arthritis. (Suite101.com)
Nation's leading experts on substance abuse outline new research agenda Oct 3, 2009
Gutman also discussed recent research documenting a sharp increase in emergency room visits and deaths from prescription pain killers, like oxycodone, that contain opiates. She said studies indicate in most instances, the drugs involved came from a friend or relative or were obtained from a doctor. (EurekAlert!)
DCF investigated Jeremiah's family Oct 3, 2009
Preliminary findings showed opiates and marijuana in his system and police reports point to the painkiller OxyContin. In an unrelated incident just two days later, four girls were under the influence of prescription drugs at New Smyrna Beach Middle School, police say, and could face felony charges. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Report: Drugs More Lethal Than Car Crashes Oct 2, 2009
While cocaine and heroin continue to be significant killers, most of the increase is attributed to prescription opiates such as the painkillers methadone, Oxycontin and Vicodin ... "There has been a dramatic change in how doctors prescribe opiates," Banta-Green said. (CBS News)
Drug researcher dies, boyfriend faces drug charges Sep 30, 2009
A massive dose of bupe would be required to cause respiratory failure, but intravenous use of opiates can sometimes trigger a reaction that causes fluid to build up in the lungs, Jasinski said. He said the tablets obtained by McCracken may have been contaminated with another substance or may not have contained bupe at all. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Autopsy finds boy's death accidental Sep 30, 2009
Full toxicology results will be available in about 6-8 weeks, but the preliminary finding from Monday's autopsy showed opiates and marijuana in Reese's system, said Port Orange police Capt. Frank Surmaczewicz. "The evidence to date shows it was not a suspicious death," Surmaczewicz said. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
More Charges Against Howard K. Stern Sep 24, 2009
The new charges against Stern include accusations he helped obtain prescriptions for opiates by using a false name. Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich already faced those charges. (Fox News)
Anna Nicoles lawyer faces more charges Sep 24, 2009
Search warrant affidavits suggest Stern put his name on prescriptions for opiates that were given to Smith, and claim that 44 different medications were prescribed for Smith under a number of other names, including Sterns. Outside court, Sterns attorney said the additional charges were filed because prosecutors realized their case against him was weak. (MSNBC -- News)
Psychiatrist sentenced to probation Sep 23, 2009
According to the more recent accusation filed by the Attorney General s Office, Ritchie was arrested in Buellton on Aug. 30, 2006, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and a urine sample taken a little more than an hour later tested positive for marijuana and opiates. In December 2007, Ritchie was convicted by a jury of misdemeanor driving under the influence of a drug and alcohol, and was sentenced in April 2008 to three years probation and 40 hours of community... (Santa Maria Times)
The science of Oxy addiction Sep 20, 2009
"The mechanism of tolerance is thought to do with the brain's response to chronically high levels of opiates. The number of opiate receptors in the brain diminishes over time. It is also thought that high levels of opiate reduces the body's own production of endorphins and enkalphins." ... Topol said sensitivity to euphoric effects of opiates and the speed the brain adapts to using them are important determinants of addiction ... "For some people, the brain changes that come with chronic use of... (Juneau Empire)
Detox Dilemma Sep 20, 2009
"Opiates are a bit different because they have very strong physical withdrawal symptoms associated with them," Topol said ... "If there ever were a poster child of getting hooked on something, opiates would be it," Topol said ... It's tough to tell if a kid's high on Oxy, but Jones suggested parents buy a home urine test for opiates, available over the counter at local pharmacies. (Juneau Empire)
Police log: Week of Sept. 17 Sep 18, 2009
A. Heroin and other opiates such as morphine; some designer drugs such as GHB and ketamine (special K). B. Cocaine; prescription opiates such as OxyContin/Oxycodone; LSD; ecstasy; amphetamine; and methamphetamine. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Burt Reynolds Enters Drug Rehab in Florida Sep 17, 2009
Many People on opiates usually do this as they do not like the withdrawal sx of opiates and return to use. If he is really an addict he needs to be somewhere for at least 30 days inpatient maybe more. (Newsmax)
Nektar Presents Data Demonstrating Favorable Oral Bioavailability and Drug-Drug Interaction Profile for NKTR-118 Sep 14, 2009
In patients who take opiates chronically for pain management, anywhere from 45-90% of patients will develop debilitating constipation associated with other symptoms of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction as a result of the drug binding to the mu-opioid receptor in the gut(1). According to IMS Health, about 230 million prescriptions were written for opioids in 2007 in the United States alone. (PR Newswire)
Wyoming briefs Sep 13, 2009
Toxicology test results released by the coroner's office on Wednesday show that 31-year-old Joy M. Hofer had opiates, tranquilizers, anti-depressants and pain killers in her system. Some of the drugs were in her blood at levels from twice to as much as 1,200 times the therapeutic level, according to the report. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
US Prison System Falls Short In Treating Drug Addiction, Study Finds Sep 11, 2009
It prevents withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, blocks the euphoric effects of other opiates, and reduces the risk of relapse, infectious disease transmission and overdose death. The drug buprenorphine is a newer treatment for opiate replacement that has less likelihood of overdose and is associated with less social stigma. (Science Daily)
Click to read: Jermaine Nixes Notion of Michael Drug Use Sep 9, 2009
I have been using opiates since returning from vietnam. I can witness to the fact that just because your central nerv system builds a tolerance to them your heart and kidneys and liver do not. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Whose Business in Health Care? Sep 5, 2009
So, an unnecessary doctor's visit must be made to TRY to get mild opiates. Doctors also prescribe things like vioxx (due to fear and greed) instead of paid meds. (Townhall.com)
Minding the medicine cabinet Sep 4, 2009
SAMHSA 5 checks for cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, PCP and opiates derived from the poppy plant such as codeine and morphine. Not included are synthetic opiates such as Demerol, hydrocodone, Darvoset, Fentanyl and methadone, which account for some of the most abused drugs today ... That test screens for cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, marijuana, opiates, PCP, barbiturates and benzodiazepines. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
A $2.3 billion fine? Thats hitting a mule with a 24 Sep 3, 2009
A slap on the wrist but Lryica is pretty good stuff mixed with opiates. Angry Black Man. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
MAN DIES AFTER INGESTING STRONG PAIN DRUG (654) Sep 2, 2009
The synthetic opiate is often prescribed for cancer patients whose pain can t be controlled by oxycodone or other powerful opiates. Last year, one maker of the transdermal patches issued a recall because gel could leak from the patch, which could have led to a fatal overdose. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Waismann Method Offers Safe Treatment for Dependency to Benzodiazepines Aug 29, 2009
The Waismann Method of Accelerated Benzodiazepine Neuro-Regulation takes approximately five to seven days, as opposed to traditional detoxification methods that require 30 days or more, and can be administered alone or concurrently with anesthesia-assisted detoxification from opiates, if necessary, which was pioneered by Waismann Method doctors more than 10 years ago ... Performed in a hospital intensive care unit, the Waismann Method involves the administration of medications to reverse the... (PR Newswire)
Tide turns in favour of drug reform Aug 28, 2009
The same month, an American diplomat said the US supported needle-exchange programs to help reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases, and supported using medication to treat those addicted to opiates. In March, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs met in Vienna as the culmination of a 10-year review of global drug policy. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
US applies Colombia antidrug lessons to Afghanistan Aug 28, 2009
But the decline is modest given that Afghanistan remains the supplier of more than 90 percent of the global market for opiates. Officials estimate that the Taliban receives from $50 million to $70 million annually from the trade. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Slow down, look at plan Aug 28, 2009
This is one addictive drug, which derives from opiates (heroin). When the president says well prescribe the blue pill if its cheaper than the red pill in order to keep costs down, how will we know were not going to be hooked on the government plan and then forget what pain we had in the first place. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Runners high can turn into a real addiction Aug 27, 2009
This sense of being able to run all day is similar to the pain-relieving state that opiates provide, scientists have known. So a team led by Robin Kanarek, professor of psychology at Tufts University, wondered whether they could also produce similar withdrawal symptoms, which would indicate that and opiate abuse have a similar biochemical effect. (MSNBC -- Health)
How long does it take for a once-addicted brain to heal? Aug 26, 2009
When people are on chronic opiates, gaining weight can be next to impossible because of the tendency of these substances to profoundly suppress appetite. But let me address a set of questions you sent to us after sending the original question posted above. (CNN -- Health)
Click to read:Official: Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide Aug 25, 2009
Yes some addicts of opiates have been very influential in the music industry. MJ goes down in history as one of them. (CBS News)
In the Valley, women look for a 'high' Aug 23, 2009
Most are addicted to drugs ranging from medicinal opiates (opium-based drugs) to cannabis, even heroin and cocaine ... 5% of the women in Kashmir are addicted to opiates alone he highest anywhere in the world ... Women get hooked to drugs, particularly opiates because these are easily available and used to relieve the symptoms, he says. (India Times, India)
Judge limits testimony in huffing case Aug 22, 2009
"There's no science, like on alcohol or on cocaine or opiates or all of the other things that you can ingest that has science behind it," Fuller said. He ruled that the arresting officer cannot testify about Horn's response to an eye test administered during a field sobriety test. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Juneau OKs random drug tests for high school athletes Aug 20, 2009
The school district said it will begin testing this winter roughly 10 percent of its athletes each week for OxyContin, marijuana, opiates, cocaine , alcohol and tobacco. That works out to about 15 to 25 athletes per week, school district officials said. (Anchorage Daily News)
Prescription drug abuse on the rise Aug 17, 2009
Kicking an addiction to prescription opiates doesn't come easy or cheap ... "When someone comes down from opiates, it's like getting the flu times 10," Lewis said. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Trapped, part 2: The way out Aug 16, 2009
He eventually got hooked on OxyContin and other opiates, and then heroin. He returned to diving briefly, heading to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit, only to lose another friend on the job. (Boston Globe)
Click to read:As Marines Advance, Gunfire From "360" Aug 14, 2009
The opiates and heroine go in all directions to Asia, Europe, Africa, and to the Americas. This is another Vietnam all over again, only more difficult. (CBS News)
Police say mother poisoned baby’s milk Aug 14, 2009
The baby survived, but her condition puzzled doctors until toxicology tests came back positive for opiates. Dillard-Lubin told the hospital that she was on a pain killer and the opiates must have come through her breast milk, Thompson said. (Boston Globe)
