Underage Drinking Program Launched in NC
The North Carolina Alcohol and Beverage Commission is set to launch a new campaign today that focuses on underage drinking in North Carolina. The campaign will target kids as young as eleven. Click HERE for more on this story
Have You Heard About the Drug Terminator?
The Eden City police department in Rockingham County, NC recently bought a Drug Terminator. It is an incinerator that instantly burns the drugs instead of them going to a landfill or shipped away for disposal. County leaders decided to do it on site to save money. The county first urged people to dispose of prescription drugs through Project Lazarus eight years ago after a high number of deaths and injuries related to prescription drugs. Click HERE for more on this story
2 More States Approve Recreational Marijuana Use
Voters in Washington, D.C. and Oregon have approved the legal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.
6 Coalitions Awarded DFC Grant to Address Youth Substance Use
White House Drug Policy Office announced Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants, to communities across the country. The grants will provide local communities funding to prevent youth substance use and support the Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy, which treats our Nation’s drug problem through a balanced public health and safety approach. The DFC Program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community coalitions that facilitate youth and adult participation at the community level in local youth drug use prevention efforts. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business…
Carteret County Working to Reduce Rx Drug Diversion
Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck and District Attorney Scott Thomas announced in May the undercover drug operation called “Operation Pill Crusher,” which targeted illegal sales and diversion of prescription drugs and other illegal drugs. More than 80 people have been charged as part of the sales. In the months ahead of the operation, detectives made hundreds of controlled purchases from over 100 drug dealers operating in Carteret County. “Prescription drug diversion results in increased criminal activity and drug addiction and this is one of the major challenges we face in Carteret County,” said Sheriff Asa Buck about last week’s convictions….
“Smart” Wristband Developed to Detect Drunkeness
Students from the University of Washington have developed a wristband, called Vive, that monitors alcohol and dehydration levels, essentially telling wearers how intoxicated they are. The designers claim the band can curb the likelihood of sexual assault and other compromising situations likely arise a club or party. Once the band detects you’re drinking, it will occasionally vibrate to “check in” with you. All you need to do is squeeze the bracelet to let Vive know you’re still doing well and are in control. If you don’t squeeze the band, your friends will be notified, so they can come find you and…
Caremark Pressures Pharmacies to Abandon Tobacco Sales
Some customers will soon be required to make a $15 co-payment on prescriptions filled at pharmacies that sell tobacco products, under new rules issued by Caremark, the pharmacy benefits management arm of CVS. The rules will encourage customers to fill prescriptions at CVS-owned pharmacies, which stopped selling tobacco products in September. This will also put financial pressure on other pharmacies that are part of the Caremark network to stop selling tobacco products. More than 54,000 pharmacies are part of the Caremark network, including more than 20,000 independent pharmacies. “For clients who choose a tobacco-free network, plan members would be provided…
DEA Expands Controlled Substance Take Back
As of today, October 9th, DEA will allow the transfer of unused or unwanted pharmaceutical controlled substances to authorized collectors for the purpose of disposal. Authorized collectors will include: manufacturers, distributors, reverse distributors, narcotic treatment programs, retail pharmacies, and hospitals/clinics with an on-site pharmacy. Additionally, long-term-care facilities will do the same on behalf of residents or former residents of their facilities. “These new regulations will expand the public’s options to safely and responsibly dispose of unused or unwanted medications,” said DEA Administrator Leonhart. “The new rules will allow for around-the-clock, simple solutions to this ongoing problem. Now everyone can easily play a…
SAMHSA Awards Grant to NC Central to Address Alcohol, Drug Abuse, HIV
N.C. Central University plans to use a three-year grant to develop techniques for reducing rates of alcohol and drug abuse and HIV transmission among 18 to 24 year olds. The grant totals nearly $898,000. The initiative known as the Campus Community Coalition taps the expertise of five academic departments within NCCU and two outside agencies. An initial phase of the project started earlier this year and involved on-campus surveys to explore prevailing habits and attitudes regarding sex and drug and alcohol use among young adults. A…
NC ABC Preparing Campaign Against Underage Drinking
According to an ABC survey, up to 40 percent of children in North Carolina have consumed alcohol before they get to the ninth grade. ABC Chairman Jim Gardner says part of the motivation behind the campaign is another, more stark, statistic. “I was staggered when I heard the figure that we lose a child per week,” Gardner said in an interview. “And I have to always stop and think: per week, not per month, in North Carolina, to underage drinking accidents.” Gardner says he expects the campaign to last several years. It will seek to motivate parents to speak with…