Cough suppressants are in the crosshairs of the FDA

In a recent study concerning “sudden deaths” in south-west Spain, a research team has concluded that 3.1 per cent of all “sudden deaths” can be attributed to death by cocaine.  Of the 668 deaths studied, 76 per cent of the bodies also held traces of alcohol present in their bodies.  Here at Origins, this new [...]

Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – are using drugs in far greater numbers than their parents’ generation, according to a new report. About 4.3 million people over the age of 50 admit to abusing drugs. Marijuana use is highest among men age 50 to 54, while prescription drug use was more [...]

Redmond O’Neal, who was arrested in September 2008 during a probation search that found methamphetamine, has been ordered to spend 30 days in an in-custody treatment module at the LA County jail after violating his parole with a drug-related charge. O’Neal was previously placed in an in-custody drug rehab program in April of 2009, and [...]

Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and fiancee of Tila Tequila, was found dead in her home on Monday. While a cause of death has not yet been determined, Casey Johnson had reportedly struggled with substance abuse in the past. Last month she was arrested for theft, allegedly stealing items from model [...]

Elton John recently told the BBC that he’s been helping rapper Eminem cope with drug addiction. Both Elton John and Eminem have a history of drug addiction. John is a former cocaine addict and alcoholic who has been sober for 16 years, and Eminem turned to him for help when he wanted to get sober [...]

Rock legend Steven Tyler, frontman for Aerosmith, has entered a rehab center to address his addiction to painkillers. His daughter Liv Tyler has expressed her support for his decision, stating that “He’s a courageous man. We love him and are so proud that he is getting help… not just for himself but for his family, [...]

After 32-year-old actress Brittany Murphy’s sudden death, investigators discovered large amounts of prescription drugs in her home, including Klonopin, Ativan, Propanolol, and Hydrocodone. Reports are that law enforcement considers accidental overdose as the suspected cause of death. No illegal drugs were found in Brittany Murphy’s home, although in the past she had faced allegations of [...]

John Michael Forbes, East Boston liaison for Mayor Thomas Menino, has been indicted on counts of distributing OxyContin and pot in Boston“G. The married father of two, considered a rising star in Massachusetts politics, faces a up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the charges. His arrest appears to have been a surprise [...]

Recently, New York doctor Saji Francis was arrested on charges of illegally selling prescription Oxycodone out of his office, which is located directly across the street from a school. Authorities say that Dr. Francis charged from $480 to $600 dollars for the Oxycodone prescriptions, which were given without an examination or diagnosis. Prescription drug abuse [...]