Salem-News.com Drug Abuse articles

Event Will Raise Awareness About Suicide, Depression and Addiction at WOU

"...we will also be providing counselors, trained professionals and other resources for those dealing with depression, addictions, self-injury and suicide." - Organizer Sean Bitzer

(MONMOUTH, Ore.) - A group in Monmouth is taking big steps to raise awareness about giving hope, and finding help for those struggling with depression, addictions, self-injury and suicide.

In a sometimes depressing world; one that all too often offers little or no hope, non-profit organizations are reaching out to create a hope filled solution.

Yamhill Drug Cops Take Out Another Opium Poppy Grow Site (PHOTOS)

No suspects have been identified in the case but it remains under investigation.

(McMINNVILLE, Ore.) - A crop normally grown in places like Afghanistan and China, the fabled opium poppy, has been making a showing lately in Oregon Willamette Valley farm country.

The Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team raided an illegal poppy plant grow site in rural Yamhill County, On July 17th, 2009.

Three Arrested as Detectives Raid Hillsboro and North Plains Residences

Police say the investigation dismantled a midlevel Heroin Drug Trafficking Organization that was distributing Heroin throughout the area while carrying firearms.

(HILLSBORO, Ore.) - Washington County's Tactical Negotiations Team served two separate search warrants this morning at 4:00 a.m. Sgt. Bob Ray with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, says one warrant was served at 3660 NW 313th Avenue in Hillsboro, and another warrant was served at a second residence located at 10037 NW Iron Ridge Place in North Plains.

"This was part of an ongoing investigation with the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) into a group distributing Heroin in and around the Washington County area," Ray said.

New Drug Czar Calls for End of `War on Drugs`

The drug czar doesn't have the power to enforce any of these changes himself, but Mr. Kerlikowske plans to work with Congress and other agencies to alter current policies.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The nation's new Drug Czar says he wants to end the "War on Drugs" and prefers the adoption of policies that favor treating drug users rather than incarcerating them.

The news was delivered during a Wall Street Journal interview where former Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske spoke openly about the failure of a national approach to drug abuse. Currently, one out of 31 Americans are either incarcerated or part of the parole and probation system. Many if not most of those serving time were convicted of non-violent drug crimes.

British Envoy Damns US Afghan Drug Effort

President Barack Obama named Mr Holbrooke as his special envoy for the two countries shortly after taking office in January.

(LONDON ) - US efforts to eradicate opium poppy crops in Afghanistan have been "wasteful and ineffective", the US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan says.

Richard Holbrooke said the $800m a year the US was spending on counter-narcotics would be better used in supporting Afghan farmers.

Prostitution, Drugs and Women in Jail

MCSO publishes reports on who, where, why, when‏.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Resource and Analysis Unit has just published two new reports on women and crime in the County.

The first report is entitled, 'Prostitution and Drugs in Portland' and is a review of the correlation between prostitution, drug arrests and the impact on our corrections system before, during and after the advent of the drug and prostitution free zones.

This report also reviews literature on drugs and prostitution.