| Brain Region Tied to Amphetamine Addiction
THURSDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- A specific brain region may be crucial to drug addiction, according to a new study conducted with amphetamine-addicted rats. "This work in rats lines up nicely with new findings in humans involved with drug-seeking behavior," said one outside expert, Dr. Robert Vorel, a fellow at Columbia University Medical Center's division of drug abuse in New York City. .
Work underway on formation of drug court for Anderson, Oconee counties
The 10th Judicial Circuit recently announced that efforts are underway toward the formation of a Drug Court for Anderson and Oconee counties. Once the court is operating, qualifying drug-related criminal cases will be handled there, officials said. “Drug Court is an opportunity for persons whose drug addiction has led to criminal behavior to change their lives and become productive members of the community," according the 10th Circuit Web site. 10th Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams said, “We are very excited about this addition to our judicial process in the 10th Circuit. The importance of a drug court is that it may keep an individual from going to jail for a drug-related crime, if there is any chance that they can become a productive citizen. This is especially important for juvenile offenders, who may now be offered an alternative to jail." There are two planned components of the new 10th circuit program, juvenile and adult.
Habitual offender pleads, gets state prison time
A Clinton Township man will spend time in state prison for repeated crimes committed to feed his drug addiction. Ronald G. Rummings, 45, of 90 Louise Ave. was sentenced to a minimum of 15 months and maximum of seven years by Lycoming County Judge William S. Kieser. Rummings faces added charges of burglary at an Old Lycoming Township home, where in July he allegedly took a safe containing $30,000 and jewelry. He faces similar accusations in Tioga County. Before his sentence was handed down on forgery, theft and drunken driving and driving under suspension offenses, Rummings, with public defender Jeana A. Longo by his side, asked Kieser if he could attend drug court. Drug court gives participants a chance to restore their lives by working with adult probation and counselors to stay off drugs.
Genes behind drug addiction tracked
Chinese scientists have found a way to track genes and biological pathways linked to drug addiction, unraveling potential ways to treat drug abuse and disorders.
"We have found 396 addiction-related genes and identified five pathways that are common to addiction to four different substances: cocaine, opium, nicotine and alcohol," the director of the center for bioinformatics of the life science college under Peking University, Wei Liping, told China Daily yesterday.
"The research provides a more complete picture of drug addiction, as genetic factors contribute to about 60 percent of the vulnerability to drug addiction," she said.
Wei said identifying common pathways meant that treatment targeting these pathways may be more effective for a wide range of addictive disorders.
Pete Doherty dumps lover
Pete Doherty has reportedly ended his romance with fiancée Irina Lazareanu. The Babyshambles star - who recently completed a six-week stint in rehab for drug addiction had a blazing row with the Romanian model on Monday night (22.10.07) after he grew tired of her constantly following him around. A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Irina has been following him around like a bad smell since the moment she caught his eye. .
Iowa prisoner escape ends with his death in Missouri
HANNIBAL, Mo. An Illinois man who was fatally shot by authorities after escaping from an Iowa hospital and striking three police cars during a chase in Northeast Missouri was suffering from drug addiction withdrawal. Authorities identified the man as Peter Jamerson, 27, of Homewood, Ill. Iowa authorities said he was suffering from drug addiction withdrawal when he escaped Saturday afternoon from the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. Police said Jamerson, who was being guarded by a sheriff's deputy, stole a truck from the hospital parking department. He was being held on criminal charges, authorities said. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Brent Bernhardt said the truck rammed a Palmyra police vehicle hours later. After hitting the Palmyra officer's vehicle on U.S.
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