Calgary teen dies in hospital of drug overdose

QR77 Newsroom
11/30/2011A 16 year old boy rushed to Children's Hospital from a party in Harvest Hills last Saturday afternoon...died this morning from what's being called a drug overdose. Several teens had gathered for the party at a home in the 100 block of Harvest Oak Crescent NE, and the boy ingested an unknown quantity of what was believed to be ecstasy. He was rushed to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. Eight other teens in attendance were also taken to hospital for precautionary reasons and subsequently released. The initial investigation does not indicate that the teens were the victims of a criminal act. However, the investigation is ongoing. The boy's identity is not being released and his family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Police would like teens and parents alike, to take this tragic situation as a reminder of the dangers of illegal drug use.

http://www.qr77.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1579592

Identify Signs of Drug Addiction And Drug Abuse

If you are not sure about the possibility that someone you know may be abusing drugs, this may be of some help. Listed below are the most common drugs abused and the signs to look out for. Don’t, as many parents or spouses have told us, be caught completely unaware when small signs have gone unnoticed and a catastrophe occurs. The police knocking on the door or a phone call from a hospital are not the times to realize that someone has a drug addiction.

It is sometimes difficult to imagine that a loved one is using drugs and the signs of drug addiction can range from seemingly harmless lapses in judgment to involvement with law enforcement. Very often when clients go for treatment it is clear that there have been many warning signs, sometimes spanning years, which have simply been missed by the addict’s loved ones. Often if these signs had been noticed earlier the addict would have suffered fewer consequences from their drug use.

In all instances of substance abuse, watch for a tendency on the part of the abuser to refrain and shun conversation and face-to-face meetings with others. You are watching for behaviour that represents a somewhat dramatic change in character from previous experience. The signs of drug abuse and drug addiction can be and will be explained away by the person using the drugs.

Don’t be fooled. As painful as it may be, detecting the signs of drug abuse, learning about the different types of drugs and getting help can possibly save someone’s life.

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. Get Help! A drug addiction won’t go away by talking or wishing it away.

Call us for more information!

Warning Signs;

Prescription Drug Abuse

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Acts intoxicated

- Slurred speech

- Stumbling gate

- Droopy eyes

- Un-warranted sleep episodes –fall asleep at dinner etc

- Listlessness

Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

- Bottles of prescription medicines, pills, blister packs

Signs of Cocaine, Crack Abuse and Addiction

Drug Addict Physical Appearance

- Glassy eyes

- Very very large pupils (hidden by sunglasses on occasion)

- A nose that appears raw and red (if they sniff the drug)

- Needle marks in arms, behind knees, or ankles

- Do they wear long sleeve shirts even in hot weather to cover their arms

- Scabs/burns on mouth, burn marks on fingers or arms

- Scabs on arms, face, legs from picking

- Teeth that are weak/broken

- Loss of weight

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Erratic, restless, anxious behaviour, irritable

- Trouble sitting still or relaxing, nervous, aggressive

- Do they itch and scratch often picking at parts of their arms, legs, or face

- Long periods of no sleep

- After being up for extended periods of times will “crash” and sleep for extended periods of time

- Tends to move fast, often repeating the same action for hours (cleaning, fixing something)

- May have no appetite or interest in food

- Ramble in their conversation, jumping from one subject to the next

- Constantly sniffing, despite lack of cold or allergies

- Constantly licking lips, extremely thirsty

- May sweat profusely

- Sudden change in appetite or weight

Signs of Marijuana Abuse

Drug Addict Physical Appearance

- Irritated, bloodshot, red eyes

- Dazed or expressionless appearance

- Dry lips or “cotton mouth”

- Strong odour of burnt rope or grass on person or clothes

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Walking around in a daze or euphoric stupor

- Lack of emotion, “whatever” attitude

- Staring out into space or at nothing

- May go into fits of laughter or laugh when there is nothing to laugh about.

- Putting clothes in wash immediately upon coming home

- Taking a quick shower before being around other

- Suddenly very hungry, “munchies”

Signs of Methamphetamine Abuse

Methamphetamine Addict Physical Appearance

- Dilated pupils and rapid, darting eyes

- Frequent sweating

- Tooth decay

- Skin lesions and frequent sores that take a long time to heal

- Weight loss

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Obsessive, fidgety behaviour

- Repeatedly performing the same task over and over again.

- Constant, rambling conversation

- Wakefulness that lasts for days

- Absence from work or daily routine

- Depression during withdrawal stages

- Sleeping for days after coming down off meth

- Dangerous sexual promiscuity.

- Frustration that they can’t seem to focus or think

- Hallucinations, paranoia

'Bath Salts' Drugs Warnings

ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2011) — Urgently needed tests which could help identify the manufacturers of designer 'legal high' drugs are being developed in research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The drugs, known by names such as 'ivory wave' and NRG-1" and sold labelled as bath salts, plant food and incense, mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. Although these so-called 'designer drugs' can be dangerous, many have not yet been made illegal and are difficult to detect with current drug tests.



A means of potentially tracing the source of the raw materials, and consequently providing information as to who is making the 'bath salts,' is being developed by scientists at Strathclyde and The James Hutton Institute.

The bath salts drug can cause euphoria, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations. It often contains mephedrone, a synthetic compound structurally related to methcathinone, which is found in Khat -- a plant which, like mephedrone itself, is illegal in many countries.

The bath salts drug is labelled as being not for human consumption and is not illegal in the UK but its import has been banned. The term 'bath salts' is used by those who sell the drug as a way of circumventing legislation when supplying it.

The researchers developing tests for the drug are using a technique known as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to reveal the course of a drug's manufacture.

The research is being carried out by Dr Oliver Sutcliffe, at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, and Professor Niamh Nic Daeid and Dr Katy Savage at the Centre for Forensic Science in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, in collaboration with Dr Wolfram Meier-Augenstein at The James Hutton Institute.

Dr Sutcliffe said: "The legal status of designer drugs varies around the world but they present many dangers to users and these are borne out by the Home Office's decision to ban the import of 'bath salts.'

"The new method we have used has enabled us to work backwards and trace the substances back to their starting materials. IRMS measures the relative amounts of an element's different forms- it is successful because these relative amounts are transferred like a fingerprint through the synthesis of the drug."

In previous research, the Strathclyde team developed the first pure reference standard for mephedrone, as well as the first reliable liquid chromatography test for the substance, which could be run in a typical law enforcement lab.

The team has also developed a comprehensive screening method for 16 known legal high drug variants using conventional gas chromatographic analysis and are developing a semi- quantitative colourimetric test kit for legal highs which can be used by law enforcement at point of seizure, facilitating a more rapid response to these materials.

The project was presented at the recent 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), which was held in Denver.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013121703.htm

Bath Salts

Drug Czar Warns Against Taking 'Bath Salts' Drugs

By The Associated Press - Wednesday, February 2 2011

 

White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske warned people Tuesday against taking the newest synthetic drugs, often marketed as "bath salts" and being sold legally on the Internet and in drug paraphernalia stores.
The powdered drugs are sold under such brand names as "Ivory Wave" or "Purple Wave." Kerlikowske said synthetic stimulants in them have made hundreds of users across the country sick already this year. A Mississippi sheriff's office has said the drugs are suspected in an apparent overdose death there.
"They pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of young people and anyone who uses them," Kerlikowske said in a written statement. The American Association of Poison Control Centers has received 251 calls related to "bath salts" so far this year, compared to 236 such calls to poison centers during all of 2010.
Kerlikowske said these stimulants can cause chest pains, increased blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions.
Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesman for Kerlikowske's office, said the drugs mimic the effects of cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD.
Kerlikowske's office convened a meeting of federal drug and health officials at the White House Tuesday to discuss their growing popularity. He was later briefed on that discussion, Lemaitre said.
The "bath salts" drugs, also sometimes labeled as plant food, contain the synthetic stimulants MDPV, or 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and mephedrone. Those chemicals are neither controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration nor approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.
No plans for federal regulation plans were announced Tuesday. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has drafted a bill that would add the chemicals to the list of federally controlled substances.
Hawaii, Michigan, Louisiana, Kentucky, and North Dakota are considering legislation to ban the products. Several counties, cities, and local municipalities have also taken action to ban these products.
DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said users "are playing Russian roulette when you are dealing with this stuff."

Payne said the DEA is working with health officials to study abuse data and other information about the synthetic stimulants used in the "bath salts." For now, he said people should simply stay away from the drugs.
"Just because something is not illegal . does not mean it's safe," Payne said.
The "bath salts" are the latest synthetic drugs to be targeted by federal authorities. In November, the DEA announced its intention to use emergency authority to ban five chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana products that were also sold in drug paraphernalia shops and on the Internet.
- Article from The Associated Press.

A Vaccine for Methamphetamine Abuse

Toward a Vaccine for Methamphetamine Abuse

ScienceDaily (May 12, 2011)

Scientists are reporting development of three promising formulations that could be used in a vaccine to treat methamphetamine addiction -- one of the most serious drug abuse problems in the U.S. The report appears in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

In the paper, Kim Janda and colleagues note that methamphetamine use and addiction cost the U.S. more than $23 billion annually due to medical and law enforcement expenses, as well as lost productivity. The drug, also called "meth" or "crystal meth," can cause a variety of problems including cardiovascular damage and death. Meth is highly addictive, and users in conventional behavioral treatment programs often relapse. Previously tested meth vaccines either are not effective or are very expensive. To overcome these challenges, the researchers made and tested new vaccine formulations that could potentially be effective for long periods, which would drive down costs and help prevent relapse.

The group found that three of the new formulations that produced a good immune response in mice (stand-ins for humans in the lab) were particularly promising. "These findings represent a unique approach to the design of new vaccines against methamphetamine abuse," say the researchers.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by American Chemical Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Amira Y. Moreno, Alexander V. Mayorov, Kim D. Janda. Impact of Distinct Chemical Structures for the Development of a Methamphetamine Vaccine. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2011; 133 (17): 6587 DOI: 10.1021/ja108807j

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff. 

Drug Testing in Professional Sports

Drug testing bodies criticize UFC claims

ReutersApril 29, 2011

The Ultimate Fighting Championship claims to have the toughest drugtesting in North American sport, but doping officials disagree and have challenged them to get serious about ensuring their sport is clean.
With a record 55,000 mixed martial arts fans expected to pack into the Rogers Centre on Saturday for UFC 129, organizers say every fighter stepping into the cage for a title bout will be tested for performance-enhancing drugs.
But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and USADA say they have had no role in the UFC's antidoping efforts and have not tested a single fighter.
Instead, testing has been left to individual state and provincial athletic commissions, which USADA chief Travis Tygart describes as woefully inadequate.
"They want, for public relation and marketing reasons, to say they have something that makes them look better than they truly are," Tygart told Reuters.
"Why don't they have better rules to give athletes and sports fans comfort that there is not a rampant culture of cheating with dangerous drugs going on in their sport?
"They're trying to pull a fast one here." Tom Wright, the UFC's director of Canadian operations, told Reuters that testing at UFC 129 would follow WADA guidelines, but neither WADA nor the CCES will conduct testing.
A WADA spokesperson told Reuters the antidoping agency has had no contact with the UFC while the CCES confirmed it had approached the UFC about the need for testing, but so far has not been involved in any of the UFC's Canadian events.
The Ontario Athletic Commission, which sanctioned the event, told Reuters in an email that it does not test at this time and the commission would only oversee testing if the agreement between the fighter and the promoter required it.
"We would like to work with CCES, but these things take time," Wright said. "But the important thing is it has not changed our philosophy as it relates to drug abuse in our sport."
Wright said that the Quebec Athletic Commission will oversee testing at UFC 129 and that all samples will be analyzed at the WADA accredited laboratory in Montreal.
While the UFC's testing protocols do not meet WADA's stringent standards, the organization has weeded out drug cheats and handed down harsh punishment.
Most recently, light heavyweight Thiago Silva failed a drug test at UFC 125 and has had his licence revoked for a period of one year and fined 25 per cent of his fight purse and win bonus.
"What a lot of people don't realize is we are regulated by the government," UFC president Dana White told Reuters. "The government oversees what we do and the government comes in and drug tests these guys.
"If you get caught using steroids these days you seriously have to be a moron."
In the United States, where the majority of UFC events are staged, it is the state athletic commissions that do testing.
Tygart said not only are the state athlete commissions inadequate, but that lawyers for mixed martial arts argued at a recent Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing against beefing up anti-doping efforts with blood testing.
"Not only are they not WADA Code compliant they have fought tooth and nail not to have any principles of the WADA Code," said Tygart. "It's a joke that they claim they are trying to protect their sport with WADA policies.
"Make no mistake, rules that apply to UFC in the states are horrific in comparison to the WADA Code."

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Drug+testing+bodies+criticize+claims/4695729/story.html#ixzz1LxluwfT1

How was DNA Used to Verify the Identity of Osama bin Laden

How was DNA Used to Verify the Identity of Osama bin Laden


May 1st, 2011 marks the final chapter in a manhunt that has consumed many in the U.S. Intelligence Community



It has been reported that DNA Testing has provided a "99.9% certainty" that the person shot to death in Abbottabad Pakistan was Osama bin Laden. As with any high profile news story, the media has exploded with theories and speculation about the possibility DNA testing is capable of producing definitive results in such a short period of time.

As our laboratory performs the same relationship testing on over 60,000 samples per year, we clearly understand that with proper preparation, DNA identification is possible in a time frame of less than 6 hours.

There is considerable speculation, which has spawned numerous phone calls this week regarding the probable nature of testing. One of the issues other than timing is, "Who did they compare it to?" It has not been disclosed at this point, but considering the result of 99.9% and available relatives, one would assume a siblingship. Osama bin Laden's father had 54 children with 22 wives. Osama was the only child Alia Ghanem had with his father, which rules out full siblingship. However, there is obviously a host of half siblings that could be used to determine half siblings. Osama is also thought to have fathered 26 children.

It has been asked if the Intelligence Community may have had his full profile from a variety of touch DNA samples. If bin Laden's full profile was known, you would have a much higher probability than 99.9%. It is unknown how many siblings or other relatives were used in the family reconstruction. The number needed in order to reach the reported degree of certainty would depend on several factors, most importantly the commonality of any unusual features in bin Laden's genetic makeup. "If he had very rare alleles (gene variants), one family member might be enough to get certainty," John Butler, a leading expert on forensic DNA analysis at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), told Innovation News Daily, "If he has a common genetic profile, you might need more relatives".

The use of Y-STR testing, and comparison with male members of the patrilineal line would be able to tell if the decedent was one of many half brothers, cousins and so on, but would not provide definitive evidence of his identity. It would however, help narrow things down. Y-chromosome testing was used in lineage determinations with cases such as Thomas Jefferson and Saddam Hussein. It has been reported that DNA had been collected from a half sister of Osama bin Laden who had died in Massachusetts. It is likely that DNA has over time been collected from other relatives. Using the same test kits which contain the 13 CODIS STR (Short Tandem Repeats) loci, plus many others, family reconstruction is possible. NIST has developed a long list of discriminating STR loci that can be used to boost the confidence of kinship statistics.

If bin Laden's relatives can be persuaded to provide DNA samples for identification, the kinship probabilities could strengthen from the already highly compelling evidence. ABC News has reported that U.S. Officials had asked bin Laden relatives for DNA samples after they thought he may have been killed in a missile strike last February. If bin Laden's mother, now known as Hamida al-Attas, could be persuaded to provide a DNA sample, the probability of relatedness could improve exponentially. However, combining the existing DNA probabilities with the additional probability of a 6 foot four inch tall Arab man, in a compound in Abbottabad the probability of identification is strong.

Article from Chromosomal Laboratories.

Illegal drugs seized from head shops

Police have seized about $30,000 worth of illegal drugs from local shops that sell pipes, bongs and other smoking accessories.

Synthetic marijuana was being sold at seven different stores, including Bongs & Such, Smoker's Corner and Grass Roots.

Synthetic cannabis, which also goes by the brand names Spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Tribe and Skunk, is a herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of marijuana. According to medical reports from the U.S., users have suffered various side effects from using synthetic marijuana, including panic attacks, heart palpitations, hallucination, delusions and vomiting.

It's illegal in Canada.

There have been approximately 50 seizures of this drug across Canada since 2008, but this is the first known seizure of this drug in the Prairie Region.

Many of the synthetic compounds used to make synthetic marijuana fall under Schedule II of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Spice is also illegal in many European countries and several states in the U.S.

Original article can be found here at ctvcalgary.ca

Local News: Cocaine, guns seized in raids

Police have seized nearly four kilos of cocaine in a recent raid.

Officers executed six search warrants at various locations in Calgary on Tuesday. Homes were searched in Hidden Hills, Panorama Hills and the 2200 block of 68 Street N.E.

Investigators believe these locations were used as stash locations for various quantities of cocaine.

The residences on 68 Street and Panatella Street were used solely for the purpose of storage and conversion of cocaine into crack cocaine.

In total, police seized 3.6 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $350,000, cash totaling $45,000, two handguns, one M1 assault rifle, and a conducted energy weapon.

Alexander Kosmak, 26, of Calgary was arrested inside one of the searched homes.

Kosmak faces 41 criminal code charges for drug and weapons-related offences.

Philip Defazio, 22, of Calgary, faces four charges connected with drug trafficking and weapons offences.

The Original Article can be found Here at ctvcalgary.ca

Spice: A Dangerous New Drug

Drug Abuse That Is Legal

There’s a drug popular with teens in the U.S. that many parents may never have heard of, but worst of all – it is legal. This drug, called “Spice” or “K2” is said to give the user a marijuana-like high. Sold in shops and online as incense, it is being smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana. But this drug appears to have far more dangerous side-effects and without the necessary regulation, consumers have no idea what they’re really getting.

Spice originally appeared on the scene in the late 1990s, but didn’t really become popular until 2008. As the drug gained popularity in Europe, scientists began conducting research into the composition of this drug and any potential effects on the body. As a result of these investigations, many countries subsequently banned Spice including Germany, France, Chile, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and the U.K. The United States currently has no such ban on the drug, likely due to the fact that it has only recently become popular in the U.S.

German researchers were able to determine that Spice contained a variety of synthetic cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds devised to produce marijuana-like effects. There was a high quantity of other synthetic chemicals found as well, indicating that a user really has no way of knowing what they are being exposed to. Worse yet, Spice appears to have many negative side effects that marijuana does not such as anxiety attacks, hallucinations, nausea, and a chemical dependency. Three teenagers in Roswell, GA were recently hospitalized after using Spice. One teen had a severe reaction to the drug, resulting in swelling of the brain.

Currently there is no way to test for the use of Spice, as it is not a regulated drug. Theoretically, children under the age of 18 cannot buy the drug, as head shops and online stores are not supposed to sell to minors. As this drug is still legal in the U.S., many people may be led to believe that it is a safe alternative to marijuana. This could not be further from the truth. Parents, teachers, and lawmakers need to be made aware that this drug is out there and that it has the potential to harm the lives of our children.

Sources:

Deutsche Welle: Germany Bans Cannabis-Like Drug

Times Online: 'Spice' Ban As Tests Show Legal Drug As Potent As Cannabis

Wikipedia Entry for "Spice"

Mind Hacks - Spice Flow: The New Pharmacology

My Fox Atlanta: Roswell Police Warn of Synthetic Pot

Creative Loafing: Spice Is A Helluva Drug

The original article can be found Here at Hub Pages.com by Melissa McClain

Teens Using Marijuana at Younger Ages

The following article was first published on October 14th of 2010 in the Foster Folly News

New Data Shows Average Age of First Use Dropping; White House Drug Policy Director Warns of Consequences of Rising Teen Marijuana Use.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Policy (ONDCP), today alerted parents to the heightened dangers of marijuana use that has risen sharply, with kids starting to use the drug at a younger age.

According to recently released data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there were 2.4 million new past-year users of marijuana in 2009 and the average age of initiation – first-time use of the drug − dropped from 17.8 in 2008 to 17.0 in 2009. The survey also reported a nine percent increase (from 6.7% to 7.3%) of current users of marijuana age 12 or older between 2008 and 2009.

Marijuana use is associated with dependence, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and cognitive impairment, among other negative effects. Although using drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse and addiction – even later in life, after use has decreased, reflecting the harmful, long-lasting effects drugs can have on the developing brain. Research suggests the human brain is still maturing during the adolescent years, with significant changes continuing into the early 20s.

“Marijuana use is increasing, teens are starting to use the drug at younger ages, and attitudes about the dangers of drug use are eroding,” said Kerlikowske. “We recognize American families are facing many challenges today, but failing to adequately prevent young people from using drugs now can lead to a lifetime of devastating consequences.”

A renewed focus on drug prevention is a major component of the Obama Administration's effort to implement a public health approach to reducing drug abuse and its consequences. President Obama's FY 2011 Budget request includes an increase of more than $203 million in prevention funding – a 13 percent increase.

Last week, Director Kerlikowske cited three steps parents can take to protect young people from illegal drug use, including talking to kids about drugs, learning to spot risk factors, and going through medicine cabinets to remove expired, un-needed, or unused prescription drugs. For more tips and parenting resources, visit: www.TheAntiDrug.com.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy seeks to foster healthy individuals and safe communities by effectively leading the Nation’s effort to reduce drug use and its consequences

Original Article can be found Here