Nov 14 AP report: Former DEA agent tells his own story of corruption before jail time By Jim Mustian, Joshua Goodman, Associated Press All this revelry was rooted, Irizarry said, in a crushing realization among DEA agents around the world that there's nothing they can do to make a dent in the drug war anyway. Continue reading
Oct 01 Watch 7:00 News Wrap: Iraqi forces fire on protesters in Baghdad In our news wrap Tuesday, violence broke out in Baghdad as security forces fired on crowds protesting corruption and a lack of jobs. Officials said one person was killed and some 200 hurt. Also, a mass march in Hong Kong… Continue watching
Nov 10 HHS recommended that the DEA make kratom a Schedule I drug, like LSD or heroin By Ike Swetlitz, STAT The Department of Health and Human Services asserted in a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration that two chemicals in kratom should be classified as Schedule I substances, meaning that the chemicals have “a high potential for abuse” and that… Continue reading
Mar 17 Hospitals are confronting a new opioid crisis: an alarming shortage of pain meds By Casey Ross, STAT Production of injectable opioids has nearly ground to a halt due to manufacturing problems, creating a shortage of staple medications used to treat a wide array of patients. Continue reading
Aug 11 U.S. government won’t reclassify marijuana, but allows more research By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will keep marijuana on the list of the most dangerous drugs, despite growing popular support for legalization, but will allow more research into its possible medical benefits, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Thursday. Continue reading
Apr 15 Reclassifying pot could usher in a new era in medical marijuana research By David Noonan, Scientific American As the government considers reclassifying cannabis, researchers say easing the rules could lead to big advances. Continue reading
Oct 15 Federal agents launch nationwide crackdown on synthetic drugs By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press Federal drug agents have arrested more than 100 people across the country in the latest phase of a national crackdown on manufacturers and purveyors of synthetic drugs, the Drug Enforcement Administration said Thursday. Continue reading
Jul 17 DEA chief confident escaped drug lord ‘El Chapo’ will be found again By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Drug Enforcement Administration's top agent hasn't really slept since he got word Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman had sneaked out of maximum-security prison in Mexico though a mile-long tunnel that opened beneath his cell's shower nearly a week… Continue reading
Apr 21 Drug Enforcement Agency chief to retire amid pressure from lawmakers By Eric Tucker, Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart, announced her retirement Tuesday afternoon, Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. Continue reading
Sep 27 New rule to ease safe disposal of unwanted prescription drugs By Carey Reed In October, a new rule goes into effect making it easier for people to safely dispose of unneeded prescription drugs throughout the year at participating retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, narcotic treatment programs and prescription drug manufacturers. Continue reading