Malaysia Looking to Eradicate Drugs Indefinitely by 2015 May 28, 2009
Posted by roberte in : Addcition, Asia, Drug Laws and Regulations, Narcotics, Substance Abuse, Worldwide , add a comment
Malaysia recently made headlines when it undertook an aggressive initiative to eradicate drugs by 2015. The program is known as, “Rakan Anti-Dadah (Rada)” and was introduced by the country’s National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada). So, how exactly does Malaysia “realistically” intend to complete it goal? Well, with the help of the 100,000 volunteers it is actively seeking to join the effort.
According to NADA Director-general Datuk Abd Bakir, the ides is to have youth members join the effort and serve as the eyes and ears of the movement; the ideal target would be rural youths. NADA believes the higher concentration of drug use and crime in rural areas can be curbed and eventually eradicated by youths, as they easily infiltrate and blend in. The goal is that they report the drug-related activities to authorities.
Bakir said that the Malaysia National Anti-Drug Agency has been sending its officers to meet with students and trainees at local at local branch offices of the national service camps across the country, in order to meet the goal of 1,000 newly registered members from each of Malaysia’s providences.
Addiction to New Drug (Yabaa) Affects Laos May 23, 2009
Posted by roberte in : Addcition, Asia, Drug Laws and Regulations, Narcotics, Substance Abuse, Worldwide , add a comment
A large portion of the Laos population is suffering from addiction to a new drug known as “yabaa”. “Yabaa”, which translates to “crazy drug”, is an amphetamine that is easily acquired due to its low price and high availability. The elevated consumption of “yabaa” in Laos is being attributed to the highly addictive property of the drug.
The United Nations’ office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) has estimated that of the 6 million inhabitants of Laos, approximately 40,000 of them are dealing with an addiction to “yabaa”. The UNODC has also pointed out that, currently, the Laos government does not have the means or resources necessary to deal with this new problem.
When it comes to drug related issues in Laos, the legal system generally takes on a punitive approach; for example, drug dealing is punished with life in prison or a death sentence. However, due to lack of funds, a new approach with a rehabilitation-focus is being taken. The new director of the Somsanga Center for Rehabilitation and Treatment, Sisuphanh Boupha, has implemented several changes to help addicts rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.
Chinese Pop Singer Man Wenjun Arrested for Drugs May 21, 2009
Posted by roberte in : Addcition, China, Drug Laws and Regulations, Europe, Narcotics, Substance Abuse, United States , add a comment
According to the Beijing Times, Chinese pop singer Man Wenjun was recently arrested for possession of drugs; what kinds of drugs exactly, has not been confirmed at this time. The report also noted that Man Wenjun was arrested by Beijing police after a tip-off led them to a nightclub where they found illegal drugs in his VIP room.
The report also noted that Wenjun was partying with friends and wife, for her birthday, all of whom were also arrested on similar drug charges. Additionally, it was noted that apparently Man Wenjun was given a drug test, which produced a positive result for drugs in his system.
Man Wenjun, now 40, is considered by many to have a distinct style within China’s often lavish pop scene. He broke out in 1996 with his big hit “I Understand You All the Time.” Just last year he was awarded China’s esteemed “environmental ambassadorship” award for producing environmentally conscious songs.
National Institutes of Health to Study “Party Drugs” in Brazil May 19, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Addcition, Drug Laws and Regulations, Narcotics, Recovery Centers, South America, Substance Abuse , add a comment
The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $117 million dollar grant to the University of Delaware to conduct a study on “Party Drugs” in Brazil. The study would be the first of its kind in Brazil. The study will take place in Porte Alegre, Brazil and will be conducted with the aid of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).
The term “Party Drugs” is most commonly used to refer to drugs that are be used frequently in the club scene; more specifically, Ecstasy, Crystal Meth, LSD, GHB, etc. These Party Drugs are considered especially dangerous because they are often used to commit date rapes. 200 participants, between the ages of 18-39, will have their histories examined and their behaviors monitored as part of the study.
The proposal submitted to National Institutes of Health stated that the study aims to: “distribute ‘harm reduction’ literature at club events and that is positive.” Additionally, the immediate goal of the study is to produce literature on local treatment centers in the native Brazilian Portuguese.
Study Reveals Madrid and Barcelona Air Contains Cocaine May 16, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Europe, Narcotics, Spain, Substance Abuse , add a comment
The results of a new study conducted in Spain revealed that the air being breathed in the Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona contains traces of cocaine, and in smaller proportions, traces of amphetamines, opiates, and LSD.
The study, which will be published in the journal “Analytical Chemistry,” made use of micro-fiber filters that retain air particles for later analysis. Because the filters are located in high drug-use areas of Madrid and Barcelona, the scientists involved stated that the results found in their sample should be generalized to all of the air in these Spanish cities.
The findings of the study are not a cause of alarm, as they do not represent any danger to human health. It was said that the amount of cocaine found in Spanish air is so small it would take over a thousand years of living to breathe a single dose of cocaine.
Switzerland Passes Legislation for Legal Heroin Program May 13, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Addcition, Drug Laws and Regulations, Europe, Narcotics, Recovery, Substance Abuse , add a comment
The overwhelming majority of Swiss citizens have voted to make their comprehensive heroin program permanent. The program, which began in 1994, is composed of 23 centers to which heroin addicts may attend and get two daily doses of heroin. The doses are carefully administered with clean needles under the supervision of a nurse and the heroin used is produced in government laboratories.
Even though the addicts selected to receive these services have been previously unresponsive to therapy, the heroin program also provides psychiatric and counseling services.
The program has been praised for its reduction of “out in the open” heroin users in Switzerland, as well as reducing crime and improving the health and lives of addicts.
Trial programs modeled after the Swiss one are being put into effect or being considered on countries all over the world, including Spain, Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada. Still, some United Nation countries have criticized the program saying it may encourage drug use.
Facts about Drugs: MDMA & Extacy May 8, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Narcotics, Substance Abuse, Worldwide , add a comment
MDMA is a synthetic and psychoactive drug that is commonly referred to as “Extacy”. “Adam”, or “TXC”. Under its influence, individuals tend to suffer from hallucinations and distortions of cognitive processes.
The effects of MDMA manifest themselves within the physical, and mental realms of its users. The psychological effects that have been associated with this drug include confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, and strong cravings to consume more. The physical effects include muscular tension, nausea, blurry vision, fainting spells, and sweating.
The findings of recent studies have revealed that the use of MDMA deteriorates the areas of brain responsible for thoughts and memories, as well as causing damage to the neurons that make use of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
New Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentences in Canada Stir Controversy May 5, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Addcition, Canada, Drug Laws and Regulations, Narcotics, Substance Abuse , add a comment
Yesterday (May 04) the Canadian all-party committee held a meeting to hear from opponents and supporters alike on the new Ottawa drug policy that calls for mandatory minimum sentences for drugs like marijuana, which has been approved by the government to 3,000 Canadians for medicinal use. The newly proposed Canadian drug penalties would call for an automatic two year sentence for offenders selling small amounts of drugs near schools, parks, malls and other youth hangouts. Additionally, marijuana growers caught selling even one plant would also be jailed.
The Harper Government’s mandatory minimum bill would be the first of its kind in Canada. It would supersede Canada’s current sentencing protocol, which gives judges the discretion to sentence as they see fit. Nonetheless, the bill is receiving a lot of resistance from opponents whom argue that the bill will only fill jails with small time crooks, while the drug lords will continue to thrive and roam freely. The issue has seemed to split between conservative and liberal parties in Canada; conservatives favoring the bill, while liberals oppose it. Also, supporters of the new bill seem to ignore the action of the neighbors across the border, in states like New York, where mandatory minimum sentences have been recently overturned/revoked by the state’s legislation.
Currently, the mandatory minimum sentences that exist in Canada’s law books for sentencing only pertain to murder and offenses involving firearms.
New Program, Project G86, to curb Rise of Youth Drug Addiction in India April 25, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Addcition, India, Narcotics, Substance Abuse , add a comment
Hindustantimes of Indian reported last week that according to drug-abuse experts, statistics are showing youth drug addiction has risen drastically in India over the last few years. One such expert is psychologist Rahul Chandok of the Batra Hospital, who said “The number of students smoking marijuana to beat stress has gone up considerably in the past few years. Students with an experimental zeal are more prone to intoxicants like weed and hash.” Some experts are saying that kids as young as 13 and 14 in India are regularly partaking in such behaviors.
Nonetheless, the UN is taking preventative measures to curb youth drug addiction in India by implementing a school-based, awareness and education program designed specifically for youths, called G86. Thus far, the G86 project has already had 200 public and government schools commit to participating in their “I Decide — I will not take drugs” campaign. The program mainly targets middle-schoolers but also involves parents by sending informative brochures home with kids.
It seems that the effort to reach out to parents is considered crucial by expert like Deepak Raheja, who heads the Hope Foundation, which works in the recovery community and commonly sees addicted kids. Raheja often shared his sentiments in the article, saying “abuse can lead to various behavioural changes in children. They need to rekindle essential values that can save children from deadly consequences.”
Cocaine Production on the Rise Says Bolivian Anti-Drug Chief April 23, 2009
Posted by Ernesto in : Addcition, Narcotics, South America, Substance Abuse, Worldwide , add a comment
Bolivian Anti-Drug police chief, Oscar Nina, recently warned that law enforcement has seen a spike in cocaine productions, mainly due to Colombian and Mexican cartels subcontracting local coca growers to process the leaf instead because it’s more efficient than shipping it out. “There is more interest and investment in purifying coca paste here and exporting it, rather than sending it to Colombia for purification” said Nina in the interview.
However, this pattern is not new. In the mid 90’s, Peruvian anti-drug authorities saw the same shift being made by the major cartels in Colombia, when local growers were paid more to process the cocaine, rather than exporting it to Colombia for the task. Still, much of the coca grown in Bolivia is done so by family farms and is legal under the country’s law, as it is intended for use in teas and herbal medicines. For exactly this reason, conditions are ideal in Bolivia for upping local processing of coca.
Last Month, Bolivian authorities busted three hidden processing-labs in the jungle, after a small plane aviated by two Colombians was seized carrying 660 pounds of cocaine and lead to the discovery. Thus far in 2009, nine tons of cocaine has been seized and 992 drug-related arrests made. Just last year, Bolivian authorities busted more than 3,000 local, coca-processing labs and seized a record breaking 27 tons of cocaine that mainly came from the small, clandestine operations.
