Reports are surfacing that actress Demi Moore‘s recent hospitalization may have been caused by her smoking K2 Spice, a cheap herbal incense similar to marijuana. K2 Spice is illegal thanks to a special order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration last year. Experts are deciding whether or not K2 Spice should be made illegal permanently.
Last Monday, a friend of Moore’s called 911 and said she was unconscious, according to press reports.
“She smoked something – it’s not marijuana, but it’s similar to incense, and she seems to be having convulsions of some sort,” the friend told a 911 operator. After much confusion, an ambulance was dispatched to Moore’s home and she was transported to the hospital. Moore and her husband, actor Ashton Kutcher, are going through a divorce.
Archive for January, 2012
Demi Moore May Have Smoked K2 Spice
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012Drugged Driving An Increasing Problem
Monday, January 30th, 2012In Lower Hudson Valley area of New York, drugged driving arrests are becoming a common occurrence, and presenting a challenge for law enforcement as a result. Hundreds of people every year are arrested in the three counties – Westchester, Rockland and Putnam – for driving under the influence of drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol. The charge of drugged driving is usually a misdemeanor, but in some cases, can become a felony. It can, for instance, become a felony charge if the suspect has been convicted of the charge in the past ten years.
“The substances may be different, but the consequences are the same: death and injury,” said Carole Sears, president of the Westchester chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
More police officers are becoming trained to identify drugged drivers. It can be more difficult for police officers to identify a drugged driver. Unlike a drunk driver, a drugged driver will not have the smell of alcohol on the breath, bloodshot eyes or slurred speech.
“We have devices to measure blood alcohol level quite easily,” said Tech Sgt. Doug Paquette, coordinator of the impaired driving enforcement division of the New York State Police. “We don’t have that for drugs.”
Another Pill Mill Physician Sentenced
Sunday, January 29th, 2012A physician from Jupiter apologized to a federal judge at her sentencing last week, saying she did not mean to hurt anyone when she wrote hundreds of thousands of pain pill prescriptions for drug addicts.
“I’m extremely sorry for any harm I’ve done during my employment at the clinic,” said Dr. Christine Chico told U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra.
Marra sentenced Chico to five years in prison for her role in the Jeff and Chris George pain clinic network. Chico dispensed about 370,000 oxycodone pills, but is cooperating with the continuing George investigation.
More Arrests In Crackdown Against Prescription Drug Sales
Saturday, January 28th, 2012Fifty people were arrested last week in southwest Florida. Operation Southwest Shopper targeted people that were illegally purchasing prescription drugs.
Those arrested were charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, sale and delivery and forging a doctor’s certificate.
The arrests were just part of a continued effort to fight the epidemic of prescription drug abuse in Florida.
Nassau County Committed To Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse
Friday, January 27th, 2012Long Island’s Nassau County is committed to fighting prescription drug abuse, in the wake of two deadly pharmacy killings, one in Suffolk County on Father’s Day last year, and the other on New Year’s Eve in Nassau County’s Seaford, a small town on the South Shore.
The joint effort is with Nassau County’s Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Prevention Task Force, InfraGard, and the Long Island Pharmacy Crimes Task Force. The three organizations will hold a Pharmacist Security Summit on February 7.
“Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions nationwide. In Nassau County, we have felt firsthand the devastating effects of prescription drug abuse and will therefore take the lead in addressing this epidemic by implementing safety, awareness and educational initiatives for the public as well as local pharmacists,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.
Pain Clinic Manager Pleads Guilty
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Theodore Obermeyer, the manager of a pain clinic in the George network of pill mills, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Joey Bartolucci. Bartolucci was 24 when he overdosed on pain pills. Obermeyer pleaded guilty to one count each of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit drug trafficking. Under the plea agreement, Obermeyer’s potential prison sentence will be capped at 20 years.
Obermeyer previously received a 12 year federal prison sentence on charges connected to his part in the pain pill network. Obermeyer is scheduled to begin serving that sentence in April. The judge has scheduled a status hearing for the plea agreement for September.
Both George brothers have been sentenced to prison terms for their part in furthering prescription drug addiction in Florida.
Lawsuit Filed Against CVS/pharmacy
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012One physician in Orlando is angry about the decision by CVS/pharmacy to not fill pain pill prescriptions from a small group of Florida physicians. The Orlando physician says CVS/pharmacy basically pegged him as a criminal. CVS/pharmacy has more than 700 stores in Florida, and has refused to comment on how or why it compiled the list. Many people, however, have praised CVS/pharmacy for taking a strong position at a time when the fight against prescription drug abuse in Florida is still considered to be at the forefront.
“We have informed a small number of Florida physicians that CVS/pharmacy will no longer fill the prescriptions they write for Schedule II narcotics. While we regret any inconvenience this may cause for our customers, we treat the dispensing of controlled substances with the utmost care and seriousness. CVS/pharmacy is unwavering in its compliance and measures to prevent drug abuse and keep controlled substances out of the wrong hands,” said CVS/pharmacy spokesman Mike DeAngelis.
Dr. Sylvester Hanna owns Wellness Centers USA, an Orlando pain clinic. Hanna filed the defamation suit against CVS/pharmacy, claiming that by Hanna’s placement on the list, CVS/pharmacy is falsely implying that he is acting unethically or illegally.
Former Miss USA Appears In Court In DUI Case
Saturday, January 21st, 2012Former Miss USA Rima Fakih appeared in a suburban Detroit courtroom this week in her drunken driving case. Her attorneys hope the case could be resolved soon with a plea deal.
“I apologize. My lawyer doesn’t want me to talk,” said Fakih.
Her attorney, W. Otis Culpepper, will prepare for a trial, but understands that a plea deal is a possibility.
“Of course she’s remorseful. She’s a model for young women…She’s a woman of substantial character,” said Culpepper.
At the time of her arrest, police found a bottle of champagne inside her Jaguar. Her blood alcohol level was measured at 0.20 %, much higher than Michigan’s limit of 0.08%.
Fakih won the Miss USA title in May of 2010. She was the first Arab-American to be crowned Miss USA, and the first Miss Michigan to win since 1993. Fakih was born in Lebanon, but moved to the United States at a young age.
Surgeon General To Speak At First National Rx Drug Abuse Summit
Friday, January 20th, 2012The epidemic of prescription drug abuse in the United States is a growing public health concern. As a result, the first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit will take place in April in Florida. The summit’s keynote speaker will be the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin.
“The negative impacts of substance abuse span a broad spectrum, including health care costs, public safety, economic development and social services. As ‘America’s Doctor,’ Dr. Benjamin is on the front line of responding to this crisis,” said Karen Kelly, president of Operation UNITE, a non-profit organization based in organization that is coordinating the event.