Herb Can Cause Hallucinations Norwich, Conn. — About a year ago, as the drug salvia divinorum grew in popularity in California and New York, customers began asking Marianne Thibeault if she sold it at her downtown store, The Other Side. In response to the demand, Thibeault indeed began selling salvia. Now, a half-gram of the organic herb sells for $32.95 at her store. One company she buys from promotes it as a sacred herb that will “turn your brain on.” [continues 605 words]
NORWICH-- Patrick McCormack listed off the well-known victims of drug abuse: Jim Morrison, James Belushi, Len Bias, Kurt Cobain and Chris Farley. Then, with hardly a pause, the director of the Uncas Health District added, "And I'll throw in my cousin, Billy, 2005." ADVERTISEMENT McCormack used the story about his cousin, a successful Ivy League graduate and businessman, to underscore the importance of a new group: The Norwich Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. "This is one topic we can address right away and try to prevent as many people as possible from falling into it," he said to an audience of 30 people at a breakfast Thursday at Comfort Inn and Suites. [continues 444 words]
WILLIMANTIC - U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, is requesting federal aid to battle a major drug problem in the city. Simmons said Wednesday that he would seek assistance from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to address a drug crisis that is being chronicled this week in the Hartford Courant. "This problem has devastating consequences for the people of Willimantic and in surrounding communities," Simmons said in a news release. "It is also indicative of a national crisis. These substances neither begin nor end their journey in eastern Connecticut. [continues 231 words]
