substance abuse in the news

this week's news from About.com/Alcoholism;

Finally, Some Good News From Lindsay Lohan

When Lindsay Lohan's SCRAM ankle bracelet detected alcohol in her system during a MTV Awards party, the actress was adamant that she had consumed no alcohol at all. Turns out she was right and all the media outlets were wrong. A urine test administered shortly after the SCRAM alter turned up negative for alcohol.

Andrew Koppel's Death Caused by Drug Overdose, Alcohol

The death of Andrew Koppel, son of TV anchor Ted Kopple, was the result of an accidental combination of alcohol, prescription medication and illegal drugs. The New York City medical examiner four alcohol, heroin, cocaine and Valium in his system.

'Sopranos' Actor Joseph Gannascoli Gets DUI

Actor Joseph Gannascoli has been arrested in Tampa for drunken driving after he failed field sobriety tests and recorded a 0.111 blood-alcohol level on a breath test. Gannascoli, 51, is best known for his role as Vito Spatafore on the television series "The Sopranos."

'American Pie' Star Chris Klein Arrested for DUI

Actor Chris Klein was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was stopped at 3:13 a.m. on the 101 freeway in Los Angeles. The "American Pie" actor apparently failed a series of field sobriety tests.

Thomas Kinkade, 'Painter of Light' Gets DUI

"Painter of Light" artist Thomas Kinkade has been charged with driving under the influence after he was stopped in Carmel, California by a sheriff's deputy. The 52-year-old "most collected living American artist" was arrested Friday evening and released from jail Saturday morning.

'Samsung Heir' Busted With 506 Pounds of Pot

When Lisette Lee flew into Columbus, Ohio, in a private jet with her bodyguards and 13 suitcases filled with 506 pounds of marijuana, it was widely reported that she was one of the heirs of the Samsung Electronics fortune. However, it turned out that the 28-year-old Lee was not kin to the Lee family associated with Samsung.

Apparently, She Was the Designated Driver!

When police received a tip of a possible drunk driver they responded to the local Taco Bell where they found a 34-year-old woman passed out behind the wheel with the engine running in the drive-through lane. The police found several open cases of beer and bottles of pain killers in the vehicle. The officers woke up the two passengers in the car and arrested them, too.