At least one thing was clear Wednesday night at Texas Tech: It was high times for the Tech Activities Board, a group of students that brings entertainment and educational programs to the university. Thousands of students packed into an auditorium to hear a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent and the editor of High Times magazine debate marijuana. Tickets for "The Debate Over the Legalization of Marijuana: Heads vs. Feds" sold out Monday, said Jana Vise, an assistant director of the Student Union Building, where the debate was held. [continues 294 words]
A Dallas man warned community members Monday of a heroin and over-the-counter drug mixture that is used by youths as young as 10 and is associated with 24 recent Dallas area deaths. "This drug is beginning to branch out," he told an audience of about 60 people who listened to him at Estacado High School. One person has been arrested in association with the drug in Lubbock and four local cheez addicts have sought treatment, Quintanilla said. Cheez is made by mixing black tar heroin with an over-the-counter allergy or headache medicine, most commonly Tylenol PM, Quintanilla said. [continues 238 words]
Students in Curry and Roosevelt counties are doing drugs, having sex and engaging in other risky activities at rates comparable to students across the state, according to data from a controversial student survey. That isn't necessarily positive, said Dan Green, a New Mexico Department of Health epidemiologist who visited Clovis Thursday to discuss the results of the 2005 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey. Among 40 states that participated in the 2005 survey, New Mexico ranked highest for number of students who used cocaine, injected drugs intravenously, smoked marijuana and attempted suicide that resulted in injury. [continues 447 words]
By The Numbers More than 200 Curry County students in grades nine through 12 took part in the 2005 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey. Below are some of the results. 20.5 percent -- Seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months 22 percent -- Smoked marijuana in the past 30 days 24 percent -- Smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days 29.4 percent -- Had sexual intercourse within the past three months 45 percent -- Had at least one drink of alcohol in last 30 days [continues 527 words]
The founder of a drug and alcohol rehab program is hoping to turn an old Albuquerque detention center into a secure, residential treatment facility for New Mexico addicts in the near future. Renovations of the old jail have yet to begin, according to Second Chances founder Rick Kenery. At this stage in the project, he said it is hard to predict when the center will open. The title to the building was transferred last week, although the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center was relocated about five years ago, according to a jail division manager, Adan Carriaga. [continues 306 words]
An attempt to crack down on methamphetamine production has begun with the passing of an ordinance limiting the sale of pseudophedrine-based cold and sinus products in Portales and Roosevelt County. Commissioners in Curry County and Clovis will vote on the ordinance proposed by 9th Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler in the next two days. The ordinance aims to reduce methamphetamine production in the area by placing the powder and hard-pill forms of pseudophedrine used in meth production behind counters or glass in the stores. [continues 519 words]
