As a Vermont State Police investigator, Matt Birmingham was on the front lines in the state’s fight against heroin a decade ago. In December 2002, then state Medical Examiner Paul Morrow warned an audience at the Statehouse that heroin use had become an epidemic. Over the next several years, a three-pronged attack by way of education, law enforcement and treatment curbed heroin abuse in the state.

The discovery this week of a rudimentary methamphetamine lab in a vacant apartment in Barre highlights a growing concern from law enforcement over the highly addictive drug surfacing in the state. "We are seeing an uptick in labs – both in what we call traditional labs and the one-pot cook method," said Lt. Jim Cruise, head of the Vermont State Police's Clandestine Drug Lab Enforcement Team. "That's consistent with the trend we're seeing across New England as well."

Drunk drivers could see their license suspensions reduced significantly under proposed legislation that would authorize the use of "ignition interlock devices" in vehicles in lieu of other sanctions. The Vermont House of Representatives gave unanimous approval Thursday to a bill that relies on the ignition-interlock technology to lower recidivism rates for drunk-driving offenders. Backers of the proposal say it would also make roads safer by preventing DUI offenders from repeatedly driving drunk.

Local substance abuse prevention groups are offering high school seniors and their parents advice on how to enjoy a fun and safe prom and graduation season without drugs and alcohol. The Southshire Partnership for a Healthy Community, formerly the Southshire Substance Abuse Coalition, in Bennington, will be running the "Priceless Prom" campaign to raise awareness of the effects of drinking around prom season. The Partnership has asked all of the flower shops that sell corsages, tuxedo rental places and hair dressers to give a brochure with information on it to each high school senior preparing for a prom. The brochure lists the costs associated with proms and beneath the costs of different consequences if alcohol is involved -- such as a drinking citation, the cost of a car accident and increased insurance premiums.

Hundreds of Vermonters calling for tougher drunk-driving laws – many of them friends, family members and classmates of a Swanton teenager killed in an accident almost three years ago – flooded the Statehouse Tuesday. The advocates were pushing for a bill that would increase the criminal penalties for repeated drunk drivers, inspired by the tragic November 2007 death of 18-year-old Nick Fournier, who was killed in a car accident by an intoxicated driver.

How much do parents influence their kids when it comes to underage drinking? According to recent studies, it may be the most important single factor determining whether a child decides to consume alcohol. That’s why the Vermont Department of Health is launching a new campaign next month with a focus on Vermont’s parents. Vermont has a history of being among the states with the highest percentage of underage alcohol users.

Update on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 02:12PM by VCF Staff

The Vermont Department of Health and a network of 29 community coalitions are embarking on a coordinated statewide effort to combat underage drinking with today’s launch of the ParentUp campaign. The first phase of the campaign is designed for parents of Vermont middle school students ages 11 to 13, with a second phase for parents of older teens beginning in April.

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Project Against Violent Encounters in Bennington is in danger of losing about $10,000 in state funding because the Douglas administration is looking to eliminate a grant to the organization, according to Executive Director Linda Campbell. The grant, for a program called Reaching Forward, provides funding for one person to provide high school age students with alcohol and drug abuse prevention, as well as mentoring, around the state.

Spectrum, a Burlington agency providing support services for homeless and troubled youth, will receive $1.2 million over three years to set up a wellness program for teens and young adults with drug and alcohol disorders. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration selected 13 agencies across the country for this funding. Link to full article

A brief article from the Burlington Free Press reports that "several Vermont organizations will receive more than $1.2 million in federal grants to battle drug and substance abuse." Although these organizations were not named specifically, Vermont sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders strongly supported the grants and "led congressional efforts to increase funding for the programs."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that the city of St. Albans is working to combat drug crime and prescription drug abuse. Recently, hundreds of local people attended two forums on the topic. "From there several different committees were formed. One is working through the schools to educate parents and teachers on how to spot the signs that someone is abusing drugs." In addition, a "neighborhood watch has been launched"; "a volunteer crime task force has suggested scaling back the city fire department to free up money for law enforcement"; and "officials are considering starting an ambulance service to generate funds."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "Canadian Ecstasy smugglers appear to be focusing their efforts to reach American markets in the U.S.-Canadian border area on the New York and Vermont sides of Lake Champlain." For example, on "the day before Thanksgiving, customs agents seized 200,000 of Ecstasy tablets valued at between $4 million and $6 million at the border crossing in Alburgh." This seizure was the largest ground seizure "ever in New England" and "was only the latest of four multimillion-dollar Ecstasy seizures in Vermont and New York in the last six weeks." Notably, according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, "Between 2003 and 2006 the amount of Ecstasy seized in the 10 Canadian border states went up almost 10 times."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "Senator Patrick Leahy plans to come to St. Albans next week to chair a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on rural crime." The hearing will "focus on drug-related crimes and efforts to address drug abuse through prevention, treatment and enforcement." Leahy said "he's hoping to learn what the federal government can do to help small communities like St. Albans deal with the recent growth in drug-related crimes." Those scheduled to testify at the hearing include law enforcement officials and drug prevention specialists.

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Vermont Public Radio reports that Vermont Department of Health is unveiling a new smoking cessation program to coincide with the American Cancer Society's 33rd Annual Great American Smokeout. The objective of the program called "Your Quit, Your Way" is"to reach what the department calls 'independent quitters'...people who want to stop smoking in their own way, on their own terms." According to Sheri Lynn, Tobacco Control Chief for the Health Department, "Smokers now have access to free tools and strategies available through the Vermont Quit Network" such as free nicotine gum, patches and lozenges.She added, "We have pedometers, so that instead of taking a cigarette break you can go out and take a walk and track your steps. We also have things to distract your hand, putty or worry stones, and you can get podcasts and hear about the proven tips and strategies to keep smoke-free."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "ten leading Vermont college educators are among scores of their colleagues from across the country calling for a debate about the merits of the minimum drinking age of 21." Educators who have signed onto the Amethyst Initiative, which wasdeveloped by former Middlebury College President John McCardell, maintain thatthe 21-year-old minimum drinking age is not working because more young people are drinking irresponsibly. College of St. Joseph President Frank Migloriecommentedthat "once people reach 18 years of age they are given full citizenship, except the right to drink alcohol." Since July 2008, 134 college presidents from around the country have signed the initiative."

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Vermont Public Radio reports that "Barre police are urging city residents to dispose of outdated and unused prescription drugs to prevent them from" being stolen and or used improperly. Indeed, Barre is launching a Prescription Drug Repository Program from October 13 to November 14.  During the program, Barre police will "have a locked receptacle in the lobby of the public safety building where people can dispose of their drugs." The program is modeled after a St. Alban's program that resulted in the collection of about 7,000 pills from late May to late June. "The St. Albans plan followed a spike in calls involving the theft of prescription medications."

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