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THE EDUCATOR - Summer 2005

Educating Voices

EVINews, Tracking the news that impacts drug prevention

Crystal Meth Becoming Drug Of Choice For Weight Loss

Crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine, the use of which has reached epidemic proportions in much of the country, especially the Midwest. Typically, people try it because they're looking for a higher high than they've found with other drugs. Meth is also emerging as a drug of choice among women of all ages seeking alternatives to over-the-counter weight loss aids. And crystal meth can be dangerously addictive.

-- CBS News, The Early Show, July 20, 2005.

Purdue Withdraws TKE Fraternity Recognition After Drug Charges

Purdue University withdrew recognition of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity following the May arrests of three former executive officers on drug-related charges, according to University reports. Dealing cocaine and conspiracy to deal psilocybin mushroom were among the charges. "Illegal drugs were confiscated at the TKE house. We believe that members had reason to know or suspect that there was a problem and did not take corrective action or alert University authorities," said L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students.

-- The Exponent, July 20, 2005.

Texas Lawmaker Joins The Clamor Over Pot-Flavored Candy

Rep. Aaron Pena, D-Edinburg, has proposed a bill that would control the sale of confections that simulate the taste of marijuana, which are sold under the names Chronic Candy, Pot Suckers and others. The candy gets marijuana's grassy flavor from hemp oil, an ingredient found in health food and used in beauty products and other household supplies. But the confections are legal because they don't include the chemical that creates a high. Edinburg is concerned that this type of candy will cause children to become comfortable with the drug culture.

-- Austin-American Statesman, July 20, 2005.

CA Will Resume The Issuing Of Medical Marijuana ID Cards

State officials revived California’s medical marijuana identification card program, saying state employees weren’t violating federal law by issuing pot ID cards. “The state attorney general has reviewed this concern and said that California can issue ID cards to medical marijuana users without state employees facing prosecution for assisting in the commission of a federal crime,” state Health Director Sandra Shewry said in a statement.

-- Sacramento Union, July 19, 2005.

Admissions For Meth and Narcotic Pain Medications Increased In 2003

New data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show methamphetamine admissions increased 10 percent between 2002 and 2003. Admissions to treatment for methamphetamine as primary drug of abuse rose from 105,754 in 2002 to 116,604 in 2003. Similarly, treatment admissions for narcotic pain medications as primary drug of abuse increased 12 percent between 2002 and 2003. Admissions to treat addiction to narcotic pain medications rose from 43,377 to 48,457.

-- Samhsa.gov, July 18, 2005.

“Weed” Instead of Novocaine

A group of California activists hoping to legalize marijuana for dental purposes only may be facing an uphill struggle in their legislative battle, a spokesperson for the group said today. The activists, who have been pushing for the legalization of so-called dental marijuana since the early 1990's, say they are hoping that a newly released study touting the benefits of dental weed, especially before tooth cleaning or root canal procedures, will help them in their legislative fight. But according to Dr. Conor Glausen of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the study is not without its flaws: "If you read the fine print, you'll see that the 'expert' who authored the study was actually smoking dental marijuana while writing it."

-- Jewish World Review, July 18, 2005.

Booby-Trapped Marijuana Grow Sites

Razor blades, bear traps, grenades and guns are among the traps marijuana growers are using to try to keep out police and competing drug growers. Traps include fishing lines with sharpened fish hooks attached strung between trees and razor blades shoved into the stalks of marijuana plants, ready to bloody intruders. "It's a problem, not just for law enforcement, but for hikers and the 15-year-old kid on a four-wheeler out to have some fun," said Ted Almay, former director of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

-- The Advocate, July 16, 2005.

Drug Charge Plea Bargaining

Most people imprisoned for low-level drug convictions in California and Arizona made plea bargains to avoid tougher charges, have criminal records, were involved with hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin, or were arrested possessing substantial quantities of drugs, according to a RAND Corporation study. Prosecutors in both states opposed the initiatives, fearing they would reduce incentives for people accused of drug crimes to plea bargain.

-- Rand.org, July 16, 2005.

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