recreational substance use

A driver who sped into downtown Baltimore hitting a killing a city worker pleaded guilty Thursday in the crash and was sentenced on the spot to 11 years in prison.

An honest analysis of both the impacts of broad marijuana legalization and the true intent of its advocates is missing from the public discussion, likely because it would chill the momentum.

Currently Congress refuses to provide us with one of the cheapest, most effective tools as we struggle against the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C in our communities. In response, over 70 scientists and health practitioners from Maryland have written to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), asking her to help end the ban. Such action is essential not just for our state, but for the country as a whole.

When Montgomery County Del. Heather Mizeur, who's running for governor, unveiled a proposal to tax and legalize sales of pot, most of the reactions from Maryland politicians were muted — with one Frederick County delegate providing a characteristically explosive exception.

Del. Heather R. Mizeur will become the first candidate in the Maryland gubernatorial race to call for the legalization and regulation of marijuana, promising to use the tax revenue its generate to pay for an expansion of pre-kindergarten education.

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 23 million Americans, or roughly 9 percent of the U.S. population were illicit drug users. So if the original objective of the War on drugs was to rid the country of recreational drugs, it has been a dismal failure.

Whether it's alcohol, marijuana, heroin, prescription medication or newer, synthetic substances like K2, it's easy for teenagers to access drugs in Howard County.

Following police officer's death in Catonsville, Capt. Doug Irwin looks to inspire an intolerance toward crime

The Justice Department made the right decision in declining to challenge state laws legalizing marijuana

The NCAA is grappling with how to treat college athletes' use of marijuana — a popular drug that presents a puzzle because it is considered unsafe by the U.S. government but is not a performance enhancer and has been decriminalized by a number of states.

State's attorney Bernstein warns of unintended consequences if possessing pot is legal but selling it is not

Higher marijuana arrest rate for blacks may not reflect racial bias

Naval Academy's honor concept demands excellence — as it should

For candidates for elite teams, the moral high road can lead to expulsion and dashed hopes

Linda Fletcher lives in fear of reliving a nightmare: A son dying from a heroin overdose.

Marijuana is still illegal in Maryland, but prosecutors are right to offer offenders alternatives to jail

Congress has again banned federal funding for needle exchange programs, despite their importance to public health and their proven ability to save money.

Legislation that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana hit friction in a key committee Thursday afternoon.

In response to a 2010 Youth Commission Survey, in which 49 percent of youth in grades six to 12 indicated they feel strongly that alcohol and drug abuse educational program and initiatives are needed, the Harford County Department of Community Services launched the new prevention program, Above the Influence Alcohol and Drug Education Program, in January

University of Maryland School of Medicine research has found that the brain's orbitofrontal cortex may play an important role in decision-making and may be affected by drug use.

Colorado and Washington voters legalize pot, setting up a fight with the feds

There would be nothing wrong with adding a hookah lounge to Bel Air's amenities; there would be a problem, however, with using such a rules change to bring cigarettes back indoors in public buildings.

Health officials call for more testing of hepatitis C in baby boomers

The Aegis police blotter lists the most recent arrest, crimes and other police reports.

As the number of women seeking care from the VA health system has grown — female patients nationwide doubled to more than 310,000 from 2000 to 2010 — so has the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder related to sexual harassment or attacks.

A young man with Tourette's syndrome urged Annapolis lawmakers Friday to make it legal to use marijuana for medical purposes. But Gov. Martin O'Malley is likely to veto any such bill.

I am surprised that the Times (Feb. 15) would endorse the medical marijuana bill favored by State Del. Dan Morhaim (HB1158) and not endorse the medical marijuana bill (HB1024) favored by Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

For people with AIDS, medical marijuana can bring relief for many side-effects of the anti-retroviral drugs they must take and it is less toxic and less addictive than other medications that serve the same purpose

Teaching about HIV/AIDS in the church not popular with everyone

The Harford County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police report

Maryland starts campaign to curb use of cigars they say targets kids

Baltimore police investigate an apparent sexual assault at the Occupy Baltimore movement as the issue of security and how the city deals with the protesters becomes a point of contested debate.

Supreme Court likes free speech — until it has a problem with the content

Community meeting draws 30 people in Hampden who say youths and teens are wreaking havoc in the neighborhood, throwing rocks at cars, vandalizing property, screaming cursing and smoking pot behind Hampden Elementary/Middle School. Cops and city housing officials and Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary pat Clarke were there.

As proposals for Maryland's medical marijuana program take shape, the state expects academic centers such as Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland to run it to limit misuse.

Leonard Pitts says a resolution by the nation's oldest — and most institutionally conservative — civil rights organization recognizing the failure of treating addiction as a law enforcement issue should lead others to call for an end to the drug war.

Hearing called after Sun investigation of Baltimore Behavioral Health Inc.