Three tries at court-ordered treatment after a string of drug-related misdemeanors weren't enough of a wake-up call for John Delino. What followed, however, did the trick: a felony drug possession charge, nine months in county jail and a year of inpatient rehab. "All I can say is it took what it took," said Delino, 32, who has been drug-free now four years and is set to graduate from Harbor College in a few months. He got sober at the Beacon House in San Pedro on his fourth stint under Proposition 36, a state measure passed in 2001 that led to a philosophical change in the way addicts convicted of crimes are punished. Instead of prison or jail, nonviolent offenders could go to rehab for help. [continues 1556 words]
California's highest court dealt a blow to medicinal marijuana advocates Thursday, ruling that employees can be fired if they test positive for marijuana - even if the worker has a prescription for the drug allowed under state law. The California Supreme Court ruled that discrimination laws don't apply in cases where employees fail drug tests because marijuana is still considered illegal by the federal government. Justice Kathryn Werdegar, who wrote for the 5-2 majority, also argued the state's 1996 legislation legalizing medicinal marijuana didn't address the rights of employees and employers. The Compassionate Use Act only protects medicinal users from arrest or prosecution, the court ruled. [continues 722 words]
The Asian American Drug Abuse Program Will Discuss Findings From Local Surveys And Offer Recommendations. A steep rise in drug and alcohol abuse in the Filipino community has prompted a local agency to step up outreach and treatment programs in areas where many live, including Carson and other parts of the South Bay. After conducting two substance abuse surveys, the Asian American Drug Abuse Program Inc. is organizing a forum Tuesday night to discuss the findings and future treatment programs targeted specifically at this ethnic group. [continues 407 words]
