weekly roundup

stories of substance abuse in the news

from About.com/Alcoholism

George Michael Jailed for Eight Weeks

British singer George Michael has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for having a auto crash while under the influence of marijuana. In July, the 47-year-old singer was arrested in north London after he drove his Range Rover into a storefront. It was his second appearance in court for drug-related offenses within the last month.

Miami Baseball Player Charged With Selling Pot

Frank Ratcliff, a baseball player for the University of Miami, has been suspended from the team after he was arrested for trying to sell marijuana to an undercover detective. When his apartment was searched after his arrest, police found three more bags of pot, weighing 101 grams, and 19 vials of steroids.

Canada's 'Prince of Pot' Sentenced to 5 Years

A 52-year-old man known in Canada as the "Prince of Pot" has been sentenced to five years in U.S. federal prison. Marc Emery admitted in court that he "arrogantly violated U.S. law" by selling millions of marijuana seeds in the United States. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

Frat Hazer Agrees to Pay $500,000 in Death

A former member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has agreed to pay the parents of freshman who died after an alcohol-related hazing at the frat house. Haithem Ibrahim previously pleaded no contest to misdemeanor hazing charges in connection with the death of Carson Starkey, 18. Ibrahim was Starkey's "big brother" at the fraternity.

Man Jailed After 8th Alcohol-Related Offense

After eight drunk driving convictions dating back to 1990, a 51-year-old Maryland man is headed to jail. Rodney Lynn Williams was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and hitting a pickup truck.

Mom Accused of Giving 2-Year-Old Marijuana

An Ohio woman has been indicted on child endangerment charges after she gave her 2-year-old daughter marijuana and used her cell phone camera to record the child puffing on the marijuana cigarette. Jessica Gamble, 21, was arrested after an informant turned a copy of the video over the child protective services.