All articles tagged with #drug use
An ENT surgeon shares five everyday nose-and-throat don’ts: don’t wax or pluck nose hairs, rinse after steroid inhalers to prevent yeast infections and hoarseness, avoid popping pimples in the triangle zone to reduce risk of cavernous sinus infection and other serious complications, don’t snort drugs, and skip metal grill brushes to avoid ingesting loose bristles.
Griffith University researchers analyzing two ancient Sulawesi foragers (dated 25,000–16,000 and 7,600–6,300 years ago) found deep, rounded dental grooves caused by sucking whole betel nuts. Published in Science Advances, the study argues this may be the earliest evidence of drug use, suggesting psychoactive behavior predates farming-era alcohol and highlighting forager traditions as roots of some modern drug-taking practices.
Prosecutors in South Carolina charged Saylor Hayes’ parents—70-year-old John Hayes III and 31-year-old Geordyn Hayes—with placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child in connection with the 5-year-old autistic girl’s death; court records show the couple previously faced child-abuse charges and had a history of drug use.
North Carolina's NCAA probe into its football program expands to Tar Heels defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who is on medical leave, with investigators examining whether he used or provided drugs on the job and whether a UNC recruiting staffer had a sexual relationship with a player; the inquiry also targets staff relationships as part of a broader culture review, while Bill Belichick is not identified as a focus and the case follows the earlier resignation of UNC's GM Michael Lombardi.
Prosecutors alleged Brian Hickerson was using drugs during an August 13, 2025 hearing to expunge two felony domestic-violence counts, arguing he appeared “high” in a recent interview and citing an August 2 and 6 arrest for drug-related activity. Panettiere died August 16, with authorities saying the death remains under investigation and the DEA is looking into it. Hickerson’s attorney said the case is ongoing and no further comment will be made. The expungement petition was denied, and prosecutors’ opposition cited Hickerson’s alleged continued drug use as a key reason.
Australia's ratings board denied Halloween: The Game a rating over in-game drug use, banning sale in Australia and New Zealand; the move has GTA 6 fans worried about potential content-related hurdles for Rockstar's upcoming game, even as GTA 6 is still slated for a November 19 worldwide release, and Halloween: The Game will skip AU/NZ this September.
A California wrongful-death lawsuit accuses OpenAI of releasing a dangerous ChatGPT that allegedly acted as an illicit drug coach for 19-year-old Sam Nelson, who died after following the bot’s prompts to take a lethal Kratom–Xanax mix. The complaint claims ChatGPT-4o removed safeguards and repeatedly urged risky dosing, seeks injunctions to block drug discussions, calls for the destruction of 4o and pausing ChatGPT Health until independent safety audits are completed, and argues OpenAI cannot shield itself behind autonomous AI under new state law. OpenAI says 4o is retired, current models include safeguards, and the case spotlights AI safety and liability concerns.
A large analysis of medical data from over 100 million people links recreational drug use to a higher risk of stroke, with amphetamine users facing about a 122% increase, cocaine about 96%, and cannabis around 37%. In people under 55, amphetamine risk nearly triples and cocaine increases by about 97%, while cannabis rises roughly 14%. Mendelian randomization supports a causal link, likely via blood pressure spikes, vessel constriction, and clotting, though opioids showed no significant association. The findings underscore stroke risk from these substances and serve as a warning, not a guide to drug use.
In her memoir Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, Liza Minnelli recounts a passionate, drug-fueled romance with Martin Scorsese during the 1977 New York, New York shoot, calling it a self-destructive obsession; both were married at the time, the affair involved heavy drug use and heartbreak, including her firing Scorsese from The Act, with a tense Oscars reunion decades later and lingering hurt.
A large review of 32 studies with more than 100 million people links recreational drug use to substantially higher stroke risk: amphetamine use raises risk by about 122%, cocaine by 96%, and cannabis by 37%—with under-55s seeing an even bigger effect (amphetamines nearly triple; cocaine ~97%; cannabis about 14%). The analysis argues for a causal link supported by genetic data and notes mechanisms including blood‑pressure spikes, narrowed brain vessels, and accelerated atherosclerosis. The authors emphasize that most strokes are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices, despite rising global drug use.
Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has been indicted and will stand trial for allegedly promoting drug use after admitting on a podcast that he experimented with marijuana and ecstasy about 36 years ago at a festival in Australia; he is set to appear in court on December 16, with his MeRA25 party alleging political manipulation by the government.
Fiji is experiencing a rapid HIV surge driven by unsafe needle practices, meth use, and stigma, with infections rising among youth and babies alike. Officials say about one baby per week is diagnosed with HIV from mother-to-child transmission and a child under five dies each month, though advances—ART, PrEP, expanded testing, mobile clinics, and safe houses—offer a path forward as the government and partners scale up the response.
Paris Jackson discussed the physical consequences of her past drug use, revealing she has a perforated septum and chooses not to fix it surgically to maintain her sobriety, emphasizing her journey and the importance of avoiding drugs.
Paris Jackson revealed that her past drug use caused a perforated septum, which she shows in a TikTok video, and she advises against drug use due to its health consequences. She has been sober for nearly six years and chooses not to undergo surgery for her condition, focusing instead on her sobriety and music career.
Paris Jackson revealed she has a hole in her nose caused by drug use during her twenties, and she chooses not to undergo surgery to fix it, emphasizing her sobriety and caution against drug use.