Category: Drug Crimes

Momentum begins to build against pain pill sellers – Part 2

Last time we talked about the issue of the increasing illicit use of pain killers among Americans. We also spoke about the development of pill mills used in the illegal trade of prescription pill narcotics. Florida has been identified as the state with the most drug crimes identified with the illegal prescription of pain killers. In fact, people from other states travel to Florida for illicit prescriptions. In this post we will look at the approach law enforcement officials have taken to address the issue.

Momentum begins to build against pain pill sellers – Part 1

The fastest growing form of addiction in the United States is the illicit use of prescription pill narcotics. The rise in drug crimes associated with the operation of pain management clinics that illegally prescribe and sell prescription pain killers has led to a nationwide crackdown. The epicenter of the nationwide crackdown against prescription drug misuse is Florida. Recently, authorities in Florida have been building cases against doctors and clinics by making undercover drug purchases.

‘Bath Salts’ come under fire as they are branded a health danger

Synthetic drugs referred to as “bath salts” have recently come under fire as a detriment to human health, and the White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske provided a warning against using them on Tuesday. Though plans to make the drug illegal were not announced, Senator Charles Schumer has created a bill that would put the drugs on the federal list of controlled substances and turn them into a drug crime.

Arrests of undergrads at Columbia University test reformed drug laws

Five undergraduate students from Columbia University in New York City were arrested in December as a part of one of the largest drug arrests at an institution of higher learning in the city. Each of the five students were arrested for drug crimes related to the sale of drugs such as LSD, marijuana, cocaine, prescription stimulants and ecstasy. The cases of the five students will be closely scrutinized because the circumstances of the arrests present a chance for the application of New York’s reformed drug laws.

Meth Drug Trade Not Stopped by Cold Medicine Electronic Sales System

Over the last few years customers of local pharmacies have had to obtain cold medicine by taking a slip of paper stocked in the medicine aisle to a pharmacist where the over-the-counter drug would be tracked via an electronic tracking system. The purpose of the electronic system was to monitor the buyer’s legal limit of pseudoephedrine, a cold medicine used to make methamphetamine, and to reduce the number of drug crimes associated with the creation of meth.

Drug Courts Can Set You Free, Or At least Keep You Out of Jail

The use of specialized Drug Courts is spreading across the country and the state of Minnesota. Drug courts lower costs for incarceration, potentially lowering taxes for all citizens. In addition, intensive supervision and drug treatment handed out as sentences in drug courts in lieu of lengthy jail time saves money by, among other things, reducing the chances that a Minnesota drug crime defendant will be re-arrested.

Driving Under Influence of Drugs is on the Rise

According to a new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more drivers are driving while under the influence of drugs both illegal and legal. Officials say the release of the information is meant to publicize the issue and get citizens to start thinking about driving under the influence of drugs.

Drug Enforcement Administration Bans Fake Marijuana Products

Last Wednesday the Drug Enforcement Administration banned fake marijuana products that chemically imitate the effects of marijuana use. The Drug Enforcement Administration used its emergency powers to ban the products, and the ban has made it illegal to possess the products. The ban has also made it illegal to sell the combination of five chemicals used to create imitation marijuana.