Talking about depression and suicide prevention in the wake of Robin Williams …
Lynn Patrone: Good Morning, My name is Lynn Patrone and I am with the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. Thank you for inviting me participate. Tim Boyer: Hello, my name is Tim Boyer and I am the Mental … Read more on The Patriot-News

Poverty and education
But the incidence of certain factors — hunger and malnutrition, abuse and neglect, exposure to drugs and drug-related activity, unavailability (or even inability) of parents to help with homework and other school assignments — is demonstrably greater … Read more on Weld for Birmingham (blog)

Still no ruling in the Josh Gordon case
The substance-abuse policy requires that a decision be made within a “reasonable time.” That's a fuzzy concept, but given the delays already inherent to the process, it's all starting to feel unreasonable. Under the plain language of the substance … Read more on NBCSports.com

Justin Bieber takes plea deal to end DUI case
Although Bieber has never been charged with a felony crime or a drug charge — and he has never been in drug or alcohol rehab — the judge compared the singer to actor Robert Downey Jr. when he was young. Altfield said that Downey got into trouble … Read more on KPRC Houston

Sports agate — August 14, 2014
1 Da Vinci Art (C. Huckabone III) 2-1 3-X-X2 I Saw Red (Capizzano) 3-1 5-6-23 Little Town Malone (Johnston) 9-2 4-6-54 Hurrikanekeelynora (Bailey) 5-1 5-X-X5 Won Ideal Night (H. Okusko Jr) 8-1 X-X-X6 Bettor Twilight (Zombick Jr) 8-1 7-X-X7 Cheap Wine … Read more on Rome Sentinel

Proposed homeless shelter sparks controversy in Central El Paso
Fear and compassion clashed at a community meeting Wednesday evening regarding a plan to move a homeless shelter into the Houston Park area just north of Downtown El Paso. More than 100 people attended the standing-room only meeting at the Pat O'Rourke … Read more on El Paso Times

Sudden loss of Robin Williams stuns Hollywood
Williams made at least two trips to rehab for drug treatment, including a visit this summer, and he underwent heart surgery in 2009. Williams, born in Chicago on July 21, 1951, studied theater at Juilliard School before taking his stand up act to … Read more on KPRC Houston

Chillicothe Municipal Court
Possessing drug abuse instruments, drug abuse — Angela M. Hovater, 19, of 127 Cedarwood Drive, charge 1 dismissed with prejudice in consideration of plea to charge 2, guilty, fined $ 150 and court costs, driver's license suspended six months. … 20 … Read more on Chillicothe Gazette

Rates of alcohol, drug use vary at area schools
… brains: Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Don't be tempted by the buzz or the high or the peer pressure. Despite a renewed focus on the topic in Keene, the problem locally isn't limited to the city, and the battle against youth substance abuse isn … Read more on The Keene Sentinel

DWMHA Watkins: Actor's death puts spotlight on substance use disorder
“The tragic loss of Robin Williams is a powerful reminder that even the most gifted are not immune from the power of the diseases of mental illness and substance abuse; and that success and money is not the key to happiness,” said Tom Watkins … Read more on Hometownlife.com

Amy Cocca: Lessons in struggles with mental illness, addiction
Conversely, persons who have abused drugs and/or alcohol are roughly twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder at some point in their lifetime as are their sober peers. According to a 2004 study, in approximately 73 percent of suicide deaths … Read more on Allentown Morning Call

Call to close 'head shops' as experts warn legal highs will kill more people …
A 'treatment tax' should be added to off-licence alcohol sales to fund rehab for people with alcohol and drug addictions, the CSJ said. Under the scheme, a levy of a penny per unit would be added by the end of the next Parliament to fund recovery … Read more on Daily Mail

Born addicted: Hospital treats drug-exposed newborns
Some even try to get clean while pregnant, but addiction treatment facilities hesitate to treat them because of concern for the baby's safety, said Dr. Jamil Khan, medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of The King … Read more on The Virginian-Pilot

Robin Williams battled years of substance abuse with humor
Williams spoke openly about his addiction issues in the 1970s and 80s. He was a close friend of comedian John Belushi, who died of a drug overdose in 1982. Williams said his friend's death, as well as the birth of his first child, prompted him to enter … Read more on CBS News

Remembering Robin Williams
He had been to rehab at least twice for drug and alcohol abuse and at the time of his death was seeking treatment for depression. “In ancient Greek literature, Socrates has a discussion and comes to the conclusion that tragedy and comedy at one point … Read more on Norman Transcript

Former USC football star, pro wrestler Del Wilkes finds redemption after fall …
"After Carolina, I had a couple of free-agent contracts and tryouts in the NFL, and when that did not work out, I was ready to move on to the next stage of my life, which was to try to pursue a career in pro wrestling." Wilkes found a wrestling school … Read more on Charleston Post Courier

Lib at Large: A county grieves for 'one of our own'
Wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a fire breathing dragon on the back and a manly skirt, called a Utilikilt, he turned in a sweaty two-hour set, launching himself on his trademark free association riffs on everything from Bolinas ("Is Nixon still president … Read more on Marin Independent Journal

More Tasmanians seek help for alcohol than other drugs, report shows
Treatment patterns in Tasmania were similar to those nationally with alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines and heroin being the four main problem drugs respectively. However there is a slightly higher proportion of people seeking treatment for cannabis in … Read more on ABC Online

A better understanding of mental illness hasn't reduced the stigma around it
People also gave a greater endorsement of psychiatric treatment for alcohol dependence, up from 61 percent in 1996 to 79 percent in 2006. There was also a greater understanding of the neurobiological causes of mental illness, though there was less … Read more on Washington Post (blog)

Robin Williams checked into Minnesota rehab center to 'focus on continued …
While he was at Hazeldon Addiction Treatment Center, the actor and comedian paid a visit to a Dairy Queen in Linstrom nearby on June 29. … He described feelings of loneliness and fear that pushed him back towards alcohol at that time. 'I was in a … Read more on Daily Mail

Man accused in Long Branch killings was previously convicted of sexually …
As part of his supervision, Farmer was required to notify any employer of his criminal record, not use alcohol and attend substance abuse and mental health treatment, he said. Farmer was also not allowed to use a computer or similar device or create … Read more on The Star-Ledger