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.

Monday quotes

"Work to become, not to acquire."

-- Confucius

"If you want a place in the sun, you've got to expect a few blisters."

-- Abigail Van Buren

If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely.

If you think the parade of life is passing you by, perhaps you're not listening to the music.

It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. --Mark Twain

Anyone can enjoy good days; those who find ways to enjoy bad days have something going for them!

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.

To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.

weekly collection

headlines from About.com/Alcoholism;

Paris Hilton Arrested for Cocaine Possession

After the driver of the Cadillac Escalade in which she was riding was arrested for driving under the influence, Paris Hilton was arrested for felony cocaine possession after a vial of white powder fell out of her purse in front of the arresting officers. Hilton claimed the purse was not hers, although it contained her identification, her money and cosmetics.

Michael Douglas Blames Cancer on Alcohol, Cigs

Actor Michael Douglas blames his current battle with stage 4 throat cancer on years of drinking and smoking. He also conceded that the stress of the last year may have played a part. His son Cameron was sentenced to prison for selling drugs in April.

Rapper T.I., Wife Arrested on Meth Possession

Five months after getting out of prison on a weapons charge, Grammy-winning rapper T.I. and his wife have been arrested for possession of methamphetamine. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., may be in violation of his federal probation if he is convicted of the drug charge. He was pulled over in West Hollywood after police smelled marijuana coming out of his vehicle.

Former Colts' Quarterback Arrested on DUI Charges

Blair Kiel, former quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, has been arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after police saw him crossing the center line in Noblesville. Kiel failed several roadside sobriety tests and later recorded a 0.17 blood alcohol concentration.

Woman Drove Five Times the Legal Limit

Police first thought that 22-year-old Kelly Cybulski was impaired by drugs when they encountered her at a safety checkpoint. They smelled no alcohol on her but she could not respond to simple instructions or stand up without help. It turned out she had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.394.

Driver Had BAC More Than Six Times Legal Limit

Indiana police figured something was wrong when they saw a pickup truck stopped in the middle of an intersection while the traffic light was green. The driver, 30-year-old Travis Hornback of Evansville, was passed out behind the wheel. When they woke him up, Hornback's blood-alcohol level tested at 0.54. He was taken to the hospital and treated.

Monday quotes

Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.

- Denis Waitley

Enthusiasm, like measles, mumps and the common cold, is highly contagious.

- Emory Ward

Years ago fairy tales began with "Once upon a time...". Now it's "If I am elected..."

- Carolyn Warner

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.

- Joe Weinstein

Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.

- John Wesley

Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.

- Mae West

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

- Edith Wharton

None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.

- Benjamin Whichcote

There are thousands of reasons why you cannot do what you want to. All you need is one reason why you can.

- Willis R. Whitney

musings

seasons change

yet things remain the same

life goes on

still the old urges exist

when will it ever stop?

euphoric recall keeps the

memories alive

so easily the misery is forgotten

so confounding and surreal

more questions than answers

my direction unclear

I hope for guidance

and a clear path

weekly roundup

this week's antics of substance abuse

from About.com/Alcoholism

RFK Jr's Wife Gets Another DUI

Mary Richardson Kennedy, wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been arrested again for driving under the influence one month after her license was suspended for driving while impaired by alcohol. After she was stopped for driving 82 MPH, state police determined she was under the influence of prescription drugs.

Faith Evans Arrested on Drunken Driving Charge

Grammy-winning singer and widow of rapper Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, has been charged with driving under the influence. She was arrested and her car impounded after she was stopped at a drunk driving checkpoint in Los Angeles.

Phillies Prospect Gillies Arrested for Cocaine

Tyson Gillies, a Philadelphia Phillies' prospect, has been charged with cocaine possession. The charges stem from a June incident in which a deputy found Gillies beside the highway acting as if he were intoxicated. The deputy gave Gillies a ride to his hotel and later found a small bag of cocaine where Gillies had been sitting in the car.

Man's Blood-Alcohol Level 4 Times Legal Limit

A 54-year-old Wisconsin man was obviously a danger to himself and others when he was stopped by police driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.37. Although it is his third drunken driving offense, under Wisconsin law, the maximum sentence Daniel J. Hecker can face is one year in jail.

Man Gets 4 DUIs With Stolen I.D.

Earl Robert Hood, a Illinois truck driver, knew there was a problem when his commercial driver's license was suspended because he had four DUI convictions. Hood had never been arrested for DUI, much less convicted. It turns out 47-year-old Danny Arnold Rodgers of Wyoming stole Hood's identity and was stopped four times for drunk driving.

DEA Ax for Ebonics Help

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency recently contacted several companies that provide translation services to help the agency find nine Ebonics translators to help in drug investigations in the Southeast. The translators would help agents interpret wiretapped conversations. Ebonics is also known as African-American Vernacular English.

Monday quotes

Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson.

- Vernon Law

Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.

- Frank Leahy

Some people like to understand what they believe in, while others like to believe in what they understand.

- Stanislaw J. Lec

The world does not pay for what a person knows. But it pays for what a person does with what he knows.

- Laurence Lee

Most of us are pretty good at keeping promises to others and pretty bad at keeping promises to ourselves.

- Lawrence LeShan

I envy people who drink - at least they know what to blame everything on.

- Oscar Levant

The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.

- Clive Staples Lewis

By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Sometimes life is like a roller coaster, when you'd really rather be on the Ferris wheel. When you feel that big drop coming hold on, enjoy the ride, and remember that life is a great adventure.

- Heidi Listug

Friday questions

have you ever been to rehab

or come into recovery on your own?

what is your preferred meeting format?

are holidays difficult, since drinking

can be so common at these times?

is there any conflict between your

religion and spirituality?

when, if ever, are you tempted to

try a beer, glass of wine or

your former favorite cocktail?

weekly roundup

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

Miami Heat Player Charged With Drug Possession

Miami Heat basketball forward Udonis Haslem has been charged with possession of marijuana after a traffic stop by Miami-Dade police. Haslem's Mercedes was searched after police clocked him driving 78 MPH in a 60 MPH zone, pulled him over and smelled marijuana in the car.

High-Profile Attorney Anne Bremner Charged With DUI

After much speculation in the media, high-profile attorney Anne Bremner has been officially charged with driving under the influence in Seattle. In a prepared statement, Bremner said, "I am pleased that the case is no longer in limbo. This has been a very difficult time for me, and I am very grateful for the support my friends, family and colleagues have shown me."

Baby Sitter's BAC Was Four Times Legal Limit

A 20-year-old Minnesota woman registered a blood-alcohol concentration four times the legal limit while she was baby-sitting two young boys who were playing in Lake Phalem. Kathryn S. Wegwerth was charged with drinking in public and underage consumption.

Woman More Than Five Times The Legal Limit

A Connecticut woman is facing drunk driving charges after she recorded on of the highest blood-alcohol levels ever at 0.406. Clinton police stopped Kim Marshall, 44, after seeing her driving erratically and behaving strangely, they said.

Drunk Driver Kills 4 Family Members

Police said Demetrius Jordan's blood-alcohol level was 0.154 when he caused a crash that took the lives of four members of one Orange County, Florida family. Killed were Elroy McConnell, 51; and sons Elroy III, 28; Nathan, 24; and Kelly, 19. Jordan faces four counts of DUI manslaughter.

Mom Arrested for Picture of Baby With Bong

If for some reason you someday think it might be a good idea to take a picture of your baby with your marijuana bong, you may not want to post it on your Facebook page. Rachel Stieringer, 19, was arrested after a viewer reported the photograph of the baby posing with his face in the bong.

older folks and drinking

excerpt from a good article

in Medical News Today;

"Some people whose drinking habits do not change over the years and decades may find that they develop problems with alcohol when they get older - aging lowers the body's tolerance for alcohol. A drink now and again as one ages will not usually cause any harm. However, alcohol can become a problem for older adults, especially if they are taking certain prescription medications, have health conditions, or do not control their alcohol intake."

this is where the "progression theory" we hear

so much about is challenged.

12 step advocates insist that this disease(really

no more a disease than nicotine addiction)

actually progresses, even if we aren't drinking

I never bought into that

the only "progression" that occurs is the

ongoing saga of mother nature and father time

who among us could drink in their 30's as they

could in their 20's?

and the process continues with each decade

it's not that this mysterious "disease" grows

like a cancer--

the body just does not adapt and recover

as well, as we age.

there is nothing out there "doing pushups

in the parking lot", waiting to ambush us

it's merely the aging process