At this point, you’ve probably heard about the 100 or so college presidents that are asking lawmakers to rethink the current legal drinking age. Presidents from big named-schools like Duke, Ohio State, Tufts, Dartmouth and Syracuse came together quietly about a year ago under the direction of John McCardell, former president of Middlebury College in…
The rise in prescription drug abuse by teenagers and adults seems to be in the news more these days. A recent Reuters article has some alarming stats to illustrate the problem. According to the article, federal data shows that overdose deaths fueled by prescription drugs now surpass motor vehicle deaths as the nation’s No. 1…
Anheuser-Busch announced yesterday that they have stopped production of caffeinated versions of its Bud Extra and Tilt malt beverage products and is reformulating them to remove caffeine and guarana, both stimulants. The decision to stop selling these alcoholic energy drinks was part of an agreement with 11 state attorneys general, including Maine’s AG Steve Rowe,…
Democrat Senator Jim Webb from Virginia, and potential Vice Presidential candidate for Barack Obama, recently held a meeting on Capitol Hill to “get the facts out” about the ineffectiveness of jailing nonviolent offenders for drug-related offenses rather than treating them for their addiction problem. The hearing of the Joint Economic Committee solicited testimony from prosecutors…
A government report coming out of the United Kingdom estimates that a single drug addict costs taxpayers more than £800,000 (about $1.569 million) over his or her lifetime. Interestingly enough, a female drug addict was estimated to cost £859,000 (about $1.692 million), while a male user cost slightly less at £827,000 ($1.629). The admittedly conservative…
Now that the presidential nominees are clear, it’s time to take a look at where Barack Obama and John McCain stand on the issues. Those in the substance abuse treatment and recovery realm may have a reason to be hopeful when considering these candidates in November. According to William Cope Moyers, vice president of external…
Hundreds of protesters packed the halls of the Maine State House yesterday, making their voices heard about the deep cuts Governor Baldacci is proposing in his change package plan to balance Maine’s budget. The protest came during the second and final day of legislative hearings on a new round of cuts that Baldacci proposed last…
Update: On March 5th, The House voted 268 to 148 in favor of H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. Read more Faces and Voices of Recovery is asking the public to join them in calling on their US Representative to help make history by voting “Yes” on The Paul Wellstone…
In preparation for the upcoming Iowa Caucuses, the Partnership for Drug-Free America and the Partnership for Drug-Free Iowa asked the Presidential candidates 2 questions relating to drug and alcohol abuse in America. Seven of the candidates – Senator Christopher Dodd, Senator Barack Obama, Senator John Edwards, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senator Mike Gravel, Mike…
Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe and attorneys general from 27 other states, Guam and the District of Columbia sent a letter on Monday to the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to complain about the advertising of certain caffeinated beers. The letter specifically named 4 products (Bud Extra, Sparks, Liquid Charge and Liquid…
