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In the News / Archives / San Diego / Spring 2002

Substance Abuse 

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June 24, 2002 —  The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California  —2 Killed, 3 injured in I-15 crash— Two passengers in a car traveling more than 100 mph on Interstate 15 north of Escondido died early yesterday after a rear tire blew, forcing the car down a steep embankment. Three other people, including the driver, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The driver, 22-year-old Sergio Octavio Arteaga Jr. of Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the CHP. He will be booked into the Vista jail after being released from a hospital. — ID# 5560
June 21, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Teens get mad over vide; it's removed— There on a Dance Dance Revolution machine – a video game immensely popular with preteens and teens – were images of drugs, alcohol and a scantily clad nurse riding up and down on a syringe. "I was appalled to see that stuff flashing on the screen," said the 17-year-old Stoefen, who first saw the pictures in March on the Dance Dance Revolution game at Poway Fun Bowl.— ID# 5559 
June 26, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Bill requiring testing of professional athletes passes Assembly committe  — Responding to reports of widespread steroid use in baseball, an Assembly committee voted Wednesday to require professional athletic teams to test their players for performance-enhancing drugs. "This is what happens when you don't police yourself," Assemblyman Tony Strickland said before the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee approved the bill 11-0 — ID# 5558 
July 3, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California —Unruly Neighbors  — "These kids have no regard for other people's property," Hernon said. "The noise, the drunkenness, the music. At times we talked about moving, but my wife loved this house so much." A study by Harvard University School of Public Health released today backs up Hernon's complaint living near a college, especially one known for drinking, can substantially reduce the quality of life for nearby residents. — ID# 2347
June 27, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Tobacco industry shows up en force, but can't block measure to raise smoking age to 21 — A potentially landmark measure to raise California's legal smoking age to 21 narrowly survived its first public hearing Wednesday as a swarm of tobacco lobbyists silently looked on. The unexpectedly close vote in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee served notice that, despite assurances from industry leader Philip Morris, tobacco companies will put up a stiff fight against the high-profile legislation.  — ID# 5538
June 20, 2002 — The North County Times — Del Mar, California — Del Mar prepares for July 4th booze ban — City and San Diego County Sheriff's Department officials said Wednesday that they are set to enforce the new Fourth of July ban on alcohol this year at city beaches as well as other public places in Del Mar. The goal is to avoid the drunkenness, fighting, public urinating and other rowdiness that turned last year's holiday into a brawl at the 26th Street beach, administrators said.  — ID# 5522
June 16, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Colleges may go smoke-free — Officials with the Riverside Community College District want their three campuses to become California's first smoke-free public colleges. The college health services department proposed a ban on smoking, as well as use of smokeless tobacco products, on campuses in Riverside, Moreno Valley and Norco.  — ID# 5504
Letter to the Editor — June 14, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Another blow to state's tobacco-control efforts? — If R.J. Reynolds is going to be fined $20 million for advertising its product to kids, shouldn't that money pay for anti-smoking programs? San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager acted courageously in finding the company guilty of violating its 1998 settlement agreement. But, instead of paying for the damage done, the Reynolds' fine will go into the state's general fund. Tobacco control efforts are in deep trouble in California. Gov. Gray Davis is taking away the entire $35 million allocation from the state's Tobacco Control Section. That reduces this year's Master Settlement Agreement funding to zero . . .  — ID# 5494
Editorial — June 14, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — State budget crisis could aid Big Tobacco — The battle over cigarette smoking is a struggle for the hearts and minds of the American teen-ager. If the tobacco companies catch one early, odds are good they will have a customer for life. After the age of 21, the odds shift dramatically. And this is what those teen-age hearts and minds are up against: In 2000, the six largest cigarette makers spent $9.6 billion  on advertising and promotion. Some of that onslaught of hype was apparently aimed inappropriately at teens. — ID# 5493
June 11, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Grant to aid fight against alcohol abuse — The California State University system will soon receive almost $2 million in grants to combat student alcohol abuse. How much will San Diego State receive? The answer is unclear at the moment, said Jim Lange, the coordinator of alcohol and other drug initiatives. SDSU actually has a substantially smaller problem with alcohol than most other colleges, Lange said. — ID# 5469
June 10, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — Safer Cigarettes Appeal to some, but Appall Others— If a smoker can't or won't kick the habit, is puffing on a less hazardous cigarette the next best alternative? Consumers may have to decide for themselves. One product advertised as "the first reduced carcinogen cigarette" is already on the market; another brand, which its makers say contains "less toxins," is being test-marketed. And this summer a nicotine-free, reduced-carcinogen product aimed at smokers who are trying to quit will arrive on store shelves.— ID# 5457
June 9, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — Students Use Peer Pressure to Douse Teen Smoking— In California, more than any other state, social pressure against lighting up has filtered to young people. That, along with costs and other factors, is driving smoking rates among teenagers to the lowest levels on record. In 2001, only 5.9% of youths 12 to 17 reported smoking a cigarette in the previous 30 days, according to newly released data from the California Department of Health Services.— ID# 5456
June 6, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Davis moves to prohibit public alcohol— The Davis City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Wednesday that would prohibit the possession of open containers of alcohol on city streets, in the town's Central Park and in other city parks near schools without a city permit. The ordinance, which will be formally adopted later this month, is intended to cut down on public drunkenness and to help squelch raucous, roving parties.— ID# 5454
June 1, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Mexico to ban cigarette ads on TV, radio after Jan. 1— Marking the International Day Without Tobacco, Mexico's health secretary yesterday announced that cigarette ads will no longer be allowed on Mexican television or radio after Jan. 1, 2003. In addition, a majority of the nation's pharmacies gradually will phase out the sale of tobacco products starting in June 2003, Secretary Julio Frenk said in a ceremony held at President Vicente Fox's official residence.— ID# 5453
June 2, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Mexico Strives to snuff out tobacco use among youths— The government of this nation of die-hard smokers is having a change of heart about tobacco. For Alan Davis, a frequent business visitor from Santa Barbara, Calif., it can't happen soon enough. "My clothes stink, my hair stinks" from Mexican cigarette smoke, Davis complained recently. "I always feel nauseated." But Mexicans, like Americans, are withdrawing from tobacco exposure in stages.— ID# 5452
June 5, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Snuff maker accused of flouting agreement by targeting kids in ads— The nation's largest smokeless tobacco company is violating a 1998 legal settlement by targeting children in its ads, said lawmakers who cited a study by Massachusetts health officials. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. spent $9.4 million last year on advertising in magazines that have substantial number of young readers, up from $3.6 million in 1997, according to the report released yesterday by the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program.— ID# 5450
June 3, 2002 — The San Diego Union Channel— San Diego, California — Will California Smoking Age Rise to 21?— A California lawmaker wants to make the legal smoking age in his state the highest in the nation. He's unveiling a bill to raise California's smoking age from 18 to 21. State Assemblyman Paul Koretz said the goal is to cut smoking rates among kids in their teens, the age when most smokers pick up the habit.— ID# 5446
June 3, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — Health Experts Seek Extra Step Against Teen Smoking— Fewer teenagers smoke than at any time in the past decade, but health authorities aren't satisfied. They want to reach the 28% of high school students who continue to light up. The ideas include creating anti-smoking campaigns for particular ethnic groups, increasing cigarette taxes, and, in possibly the most intriguing proposal, raising the legal age to 21 for purchasing cigarettes.— ID# 5444
May 29, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Listen to neighbors, not naysayers— The passage of Proposition 36, a measure approved by voters in 2000 that requires judges to send nonviolent drug offenders to treatment instead of prison, may have freed up some bunks in prisons, but it has passed the burden on to treatment facilities. The inability of treatment providers to expand services is not a funding issue.— ID# 5436
May 20, 2002 — CBS Local 8 News— San Diego, California — New Memorial Signs Honors DUI Victims— State and local officials hope a new memorial display in San Diego will help deter people from drinking and driving. The sign was unveiled today near Camp Pendleton to honor a victim killed by a drunk driver.— ID# 5422
May 16, 2002 — The North County Times— Escondido, California — New drug czar visits U.S.-Mexico border— "We intend to drive down demand and we intend to go after those who are suppliers with renewed vigor," John P. Walters said Wednesday as he toured a residential drug treatment center. Walters, director of national drug control policy, visited the center as part of a two-day swing through Southern California and Tijuana, his first since he was appointed by President Bush and announced a goal of reducing U.S. drug use by 10 percent in two years.— ID# 5420
May 16, 2002 — The UCSD Guardian— San Diego, California — TMC hosts alcohol awareness week— A mangled car, a wall of students' stories about drugs and alcohol, and posters telling the negative effects of alcohol and drug use highlight Thurgood Marshall College's Alcohol and Drug Awareness Week. The campaign to educate students about drinking takes place in front of the Thurgood Marshall College dean's office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day this week. It is held every year before the Sun God festival to "give [students] the facts" about alcohol and other drugs, according to Marshall Coordinator of Student Activities Vicki Kerba Miller.— ID# 5418
May 16, 2002 — The Sacramento Bee— Sacramento, California — Drug Court's grads proud— Donald Walker was arrested in 1999 for possessing cocaine. What happened next soon changed his life. He agreed to pay the $500 cost of entering the Sacramento County Drug Court program. If he graduated from the program, his drug offense would be expunged from his record. He had been using drugs intermittently since 1988. "When I got here, I had no intention of quitting (cocaine)," Walker said Wednesday. He was relaxing at an annual get-together to recognize program graduates at the Drug Court's treatment center on Stockton Boulevard.— ID# 5417
May 16, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Mexico's problems with meth increasing— Once the scourge of San Diego, crystal methamphetamine has spread south to become the most widely consumed drug in Baja California. Low prices and widespread availability have boosted the popularity of the highly addictive synthetic drug, Mexican drug experts said yesterday during a visit by U.S. drug czar John P. Walters.— ID# 5416
Editorial — May 8, 2002 — The North County Times— San Diego, California —Drug use can be overcome— Substance abuse affects all American children. Drug and alcohol use hurts academic performance and leads to increased rates of truancy, dropouts, crime and violence. San Diego County is no exception. But we are promoting solutions that address these problems even though we understand the primary mission of schools is to educate our children. We can do both.— ID# 5400
May 8, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — LAPD Agrees to Shrink DARE Programs— Commission President Rick Caruso had said last week he was prepared to essentially scrap DARE to free up more officers to combat gangs and narcotics-related crime. But on Tuesday, a last-ditch effort by police officials to save the high-profile DARE program proved successful. The commission agreed to allow DARE to keep 44 officers--enough to continue its elementary school programs. Junior high and high school programs will be cut, except at a few magnet schools.— ID# 5399
Editorial — May 6, 2002 — The Daily Aztec— San Diego, California — Women must think before they drink— College-aged women are drinking more alcohol than ever, often to a state of utter oblivion.  The connection was lost on me: Women who become intoxicated leave themselves vulnerable to just the sort of victimization the WRC rally hopes to stamp out, but I fear no one wants to emphasize it..— ID# 5397 
May 6, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — Controversy Brews over ' Mexican ST. Patrick's Day'— Cinco de Mayo was a big deal all over Southern California and nationwide, where the Mexican holiday has caught on like, well, margaritas. And that's just the problem, say an increasing number of Mexican Americans, who worry that their fiesta's American translation gives lip service to history amid gulps of alcohol.— ID# 5396
May 4, 2002 — The San Francisco Chronicle— San Francisco, California — Spirit of Cinco de Mayo— The celebration has become synonymous with alcohol, but a growing number of Mexican Americans want to return to its roots San Francisco -- Jorge Arias' wife is upset that he hung beer signs around his Oakland restaurant this week in anticipation of Cinco de Mayo. Makes the place look like a bar, she told him. Arias shrugged."It's not Cinco de Mayo, it's Drinko de Mayo," he said, matter-of-factly repeating what he hears every year.— ID# 5395
Editorial — May 2, 2002 — The UCSD Guardian— San Diego, California — For better or for worse, alcohol plays a major role at UCSD— If you look at The Princeton Review's rankings for the biggest "party schools," UCSD naturally does not make the list. Even UC Santa Barbara, the outrageous party haven of my high school days, barely scratches the list as No. 20. UCSD also does not grace the presence of the other alcohol-related Top 20 lists, "Lots of Hard Liquor" and "Lots of Beer."— ID# 5391
May 1, 2002 — The Daily Aztec— San Diego, California — Embalmer describes horrors of DUIs— In an alcohol-awareness workshop last Thursday in Council Chambers, the two conveyed their first-hand insight into the realities of driving drunk. "I see the end result of car crashes," Mothers Against Drunk Driving representative and embalmer Anne Gibson said. "I'm the one the coroner calls after a fatality. I sew parts back together, restructure faces, and pick up body bags because of drunk drivers." Gibson told the story of a family driving back to San Diego from a vacation. A car, driven by a drunk driver, crossed the double yellow line and struck their vehicle head-on. The impact was so great that the seat belts were torn out of place, she said. — ID# 5390
April 27, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Aneles, California —State Bill Targets Slum Lords— Community leaders and Devonshire Division police officers have tried for years to control a problematic apartment complex in a crime-ridden North Hills neighborhood. They closed off access from busy Nordhoff Street, held block parties to promote peace and increased police patrols to deter criminal activity. On Friday, lawmakers announced a new approach to dealing with troubled buildings legislation that would force apartment owners to live in their complexes to ensure that safety measures are implemented. — ID# 5388
April 25, 2002 — The Daily Aztec— San Diego, California — Binge Drinking increases among women— At a party near campus a couple of months ago, two San Diego State students competed to see who could take the most shots of Jack Daniels in one sitting. To many, this seems to be a normal occurrence, but one of the challengers was a female. "I drank so much I thought I was going to throw up right there," Julia*, an advertising senior, said. "But it was worth it because I out-drank the guy I was competing against." According to studies at universities across the nation, alcohol consumption and binge drinking among college women is on the rise. — ID# 5385
April 25, 2002 — The North County Times— San Diego, California — Investigation leads to alleged drug ring— An investigation into an Ecstasy laboratory in Escondido led to the discovery of a cocaine and marijuana ring operating out of Tijuana, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman said Wednesday. Special Agent Donald Thornhill Jr. said eight people were arrested this week in the Tijuana case. — ID# 5383
April 25, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times— Los Angeles, California — Drug Courts, for Hard Cases— Drug courts--treatment programs pioneered in California eight years ago and typically lasting about a year--compel district attorneys, cops and public defenders to set aside their adversarial roles and cooperate to keep substance abusers clean. The courts are one of the few criminal justice reforms that both conservative and liberal criminal justice scholars strongly support. And they save money. — ID# 5382
April 24, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune— San Diego, California — Questions surround college student's death— No one knows for sure what killed Brian Gillis. The 19-year-old college freshman, a basketball and track athlete when he was at Poway High School, was found dead in his bed April 4, a few days after returning to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo from home, where he'd spent spring break. Now his family and friends want answers. Authorities describe Gillis' death, which is under investigation, as suspicious. "I wouldn't want to get into what happened," said San Luis Obispo police Lt. Gary Orback. "There's a lot of rumors and speculation." — ID# 5381
April 24, 2002 — Yahoo News  — Fed up with its seedy image, Tijuana sets out to gain some respect— In many ways, Tijuana is a public relations nightmare Its name is associated with Mexico's deadliest drug cartel, and its more popular tourist attractions are its cheap booze and prostitutes. Then there's police corruption. And an unflattering pop song. Not to mention the unfortunate matter of Tijuana's diabolical area code. Now Tijuana is taking things into its own hands. It has formed a "Comite de Imagen"— ID# 5379
April 18, 2002 — The San Diego Channel — San Diego, California — Drug Airstrips discovered near Tijuana— Mexican Federal Agent Raul Tovar told 10News that agents had been doing flyovers of the Tijuana region recently, taking pictures of the vast landscape that runs south and east of the city. Suspicious areas were inspected by foot, where agents found fresh plane tire tracks on the dirt, 10News reported. Authorities also found evidence that highway road reflectors were being used to light the runways at night.— ID# 5374
April 22, 2002 — The UCSD Guardian — San Diego, California — Batting the binge Drinking life— Ever wonder how many people really get transported to detox on an average night? Or how many people actually get caught drunk in public? For every person who is reported, there are probably 30 puking their guts out from a night of heavy binge drinking. College drinking has become somewhat of a culture. To most, the college experience is not complete without alcohol. But should college drinking really be considered a rite of passage? While UCSD can be considered to be at a safe distance from high-alert alcoholism, binge drinking continues to be a problem for the college community.— ID# 5373
April 22, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Mexico's Fox promises governors assistance in drug, water battles— President Vicente Fox met yesterday with several governors from northern Mexico, promising to help them battle drug smuggling and support them in their fight with the United States over water. "I'm very proud to see Mexican culture flourish in the northern part of the country and in front of the United States," Fox said. "I believe that it is necessary that we continue working to construct step by step a Mexico that we all want."— ID# 5372
April 22, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Personal drug wars— Growing numbers of Mexican-Americans are checking into Tijuana drug rehabilitation centers rather than face waiting lists and higher treatment costs in the United States. The Mexican centers have little oversight, and many use tough, controversial treatments. But desperate families and addicts say the Spartan facilities and strict rules are a small price to pay for the potential rewards. "Over there (in the United States), you have to want to stay clean, but here you are forced to," said Maria Esther Covarrubias, 28, of Carlsbad, who was completing a six-month stay at a Tijuana drug center program. Two of her friends, also from the United States, are in nearby rehab centers.— ID# 5371
April 19, 2002 — The San Diego Channel — San Diego, California — USD Fraternity Suspended Indefinitely— The Phi Kappa Theta fraternity chapter at the University of San Diego was suspended indefinitely for hazing and alcohol-related violations, it was reported. The suspension comes after repeated violations, which caused the private Catholic university to place the fraternity on probation twice during the past three years, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. USD officials and the national fraternity agreed last weekend that the indefinite suspension was warranted, the newspaper reported.— ID# 5369
April 18, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Students deserve a break from alcohol risks— Cosgrove is dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs at the University of San Diego. Mitchell is senior director of health, counseling and disability services at Cal State San Marcos. Those interested in learning more about Substance Abuse Summit VII can visit www.substanceabusesummit.com. Fueled by ritual reports of spring break binges, the public has come to expect annual alcohol incidents as if waiting for the most extravagant Super Bowl ad.— ID# 5368
April 18, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Studying Stoners— A study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that long-term cannabis use impairs memory and attention beyond the period of intoxication and worsens these with regular use. The study, released in early March, found that academic achievements, occupational proficiency, relationships and daily functioning were impaired for habitual users. "By far, the drug of choice on this, and probably all campuses, continues to be alcohol," said James Lange, coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Initiatives at San Diego State. "So, most of our efforts have been targeting alcohol abuse. However, our surveys show that marijuana is the next most commonly used drug on this campus."— ID# 5367
April 17, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Tackling a troublesome tunnel— Stockton residents use the tunnel that bisects their neighborhood under the trolley tracks at K and 33rd streets to get to school, the market, the city bus stops and to visit friends on the other side. But the short, hidden walkway between a vacant city-owned lot and homes also allows for illegal drug activity, public urination and graffiti. Issues of safety and community pride have prompted City Councilman Ralph Inzunza, Gabriela Brannan, a deputy city attorney with the Neighborhood Prosecution Unit, and the San Diego Police Department to call residents together this Saturday morning for a meeting to decide the tunnel's fate.— ID# 5364
April 16, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Fox, in Tijuana, lauds crackdown on officers— TIJUANA – Mexican President Vicente Fox yesterday credited Baja California Gov. Eugenio Elorduy for supporting a federal operation that led to last week's detention of 42 Baja California law enforcement agents suspected of working for the Arellano Fιlix drug cartel. "The fight against drug trafficking and organized crime is going to continue," Fox said at the end of his Tijuana visit. "We won't stop until we are sure of wrecking and dismantling any sort of complicity with organized crime."— ID# 5361
April 15, 2002 — The San Diego Channel — San Diego, California — Tijuana Crackdowns Not Yet Felt At Border— SAN DIEGO -- The police corruption scandal in Tijuana, Mexico, continues to unfold, 10News reported. Federal prosecutors this week began rounding up police officers with suspected ties to drug smugglers. But the waves of change in Tijuana don't appear to be having an effect on drug seizures at the border.— ID# 5356
April 14, 2002 — Yahoo News — Mexico Fights Tijuana Cop Corruption— TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) - Over the years, Tijuana police have cruised the streets with drugs lords in Chevy Suburbans during the day, then put on their badges to fight crime in the violent border city at night. They have gunned down fellow officers while protecting smugglers and made regular stops at scores of crack houses dotting Tijuana's dust-blown hills, picking up bribes in exchange for leaving dealers alone.— ID# 5355
April 14, 2002 — The Chicago Tribune — Chicago, Illinois — Crackdown doesn't end fears in Tijuana—TIJUANA, Mexico -- One sign of just how closely linked this border city is with the drug trade can be found in the introduction that Tijuana car wash owner Manuel Rodriguez offers. "I wash only cars, not money," he said, adding slowly with emphasis, "I do not launder money." To Rodriguez, the arrest of dozens of high-ranking state and city police officials last week for possible ties to drug traffickers seemed an acknowledgement of the obvious. In Tijuana, after all, opposing police squads have been known to engage in shootouts on behalf of rival drug lords.— ID# 5352
April 12, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — House panel wants need for freeway checkpoints studied— A House panel has approved legislation that would order the attorney general to study the possibility of closing the immigration checkpoints on interstates 15 and 5 in San Diego County. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, sponsor of the measure, said the checkpoints should be closed and their hundreds of law-enforcement personnel transferred. Issa said he questions whether the enforcement presence is worth the traffic headaches on I-5 at San Onofre and I-15 near Temecula on the San Diego County line.— ID# 5348
April 12, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times — Los Angeles, California — Police Held in Sting Suspected of Ties to Tijuana Drug Cartel— The 41 Baja California policemen, including the Tijuana police chief, who were arrested in an elaborate sting operation and flown to the capital are all suspected of involvement in the Arellano Felix drug cartel, Mexican authorities said Thursday. The suspects were lured to the Tecate police academy Wednesday under the pretense of a firearms check. After all had turned over their weapons, Mexican army units and federal officers swooped in and made the arrests from about 200 officers present. There was no resistance. Among those arrested was Tijuana Police Chief Carlos Otal Namur and one of his deputies, Jesus Jacobo Aguirre.— ID# 5347
April 11, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — South Bay court is at front line of drug war— There are lieutenants, corporals, lowly soldiers.And then there are the small fries, the mules. Like Jose Tomas Aquero Medrano, Miguel Bermudes, Francisco Ibarra and Cirilio Lopez Morales, who were brought before Cannon last month. Since 1995, under an agreement with federal prosecutors, thousands of small-time smugglers who have been caught by customs agents at the international border in San Ysidro have been handed over to local prosecutors, who brought charges in state court.— ID# 5342
April 11, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Tijuana's chief, dozens of Baja police detained— In what some are describing as the biggest police shake-up in Baja California history, Tijuana Police Chief Carlos Otal Namur and about four dozen other police officers from across the state were taken into custody by federal agents yesterday. The operation apparently was aimed at rooting out deeply entrenched police corruption and possible ties to drug cartels. It involved a number of high-ranking police officers and took place at the state police academy outside Tecate.— ID# 5341
April 11, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times — Los Angeles, California — Tijuana Chief, 40 Police Officers Held— The Tijuana police chief and about 40 other Baja California state and local police officers were arrested by Mexican army units and special federal police in a surprise operation at a Tecate police academy Wednesday as part of the Mexican government's crackdown on drug-related corruption. Details of the morning raid remained sketchy, but Baja California Gov. Eugenio Elorduy Walther confirmed the operation at a news conference. The governor's office and the Tijuana mayor's office said Tijuana Police Chief Carlos Otal Namur was among those arrested.— ID# 5340
April 10, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Fraternity expelled for alcohol— Kappa Sigma fraternity has been expelled from campus because of two alcohol-related hazing incidents within the past two years. University Police found at least six members of the organization &emdash; including the elected chapter president -- with several underage pledges and a large amount of alcohol in Parking Structure III on Jan. 16. Fraternity members had instructed the pledges to provide the alcohol for a pre-initiation party at the fraternity house, said Doug Case, coordinator of the Center for Fraternity and Sorority life.— ID# 5339
April 7, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Revelers undaunted by 9/11, Spring break party scene is alive in Baja— Even under cloudy skies and in 60-degree weather, a group of college students sat happily in a Jacuzzi at the Rosarito Beach Hotel last week, downing margaritas. The big crowds and balmy temperatures they'd expected hadn't materialized. But nothing was going to stop them from having a grand time during spring break. "We didn't have a lot of money, so we came down here to a good time," said Adrian Bryant, 20, a student at San Joaquin Delta College who drove to Rosarito with five buddies.— ID# 5332
April 7, 2002 — Channel 8, San Diego — San Diego, California — Operation Safe Crossing Ensures Safety at Border— Operation Safe Crossing was in effect this weekend, but authorities said that no serious problems were reported as thousands of people returned to the United States after spending spring break in Mexico. "The attraction of spring break brought numbers back up that had been reduced by 9-11," said Rick McGaffigan of the Institute for Public Strategies.— ID# 5330
March 28, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — College life may harm learning potential— "Alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, diet, sleep deprivation, stress &emdash; all of those things are able to impair learning," said Larry Squire, psychology professor-in-residence at the University of California San Diego. Memory is basically the end product of cognition. So anything about cognition that is weak &emdash; inattention, poor motivation, not thinking clearly &emdash; any of that will result in a less-perfect memory of what one is processing."— ID# 5316
April 1, 2002 — The Los Angeles Times — Los Angeles, California — University Fraternity, Sorority are punished— A San Diego State University fraternity has been expelled and a sorority placed on suspension after violating campus rules on alcohol abuse at social events.The Kappa Sigma fraternity's charter was revoked by the group's national leadership after an alleged hazing involving pledges and alcohol, the second such incident in five years. The fraternity has been on campus since 1947.— ID# 5303 
Editorial — March 27, 2002 —The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Random Drug Testing Violates Students Rights— So, why do so many people believe that all students who participate in extracurricular activities should be drug tested? Currently, the United States Supreme Court is hearing a case in which they will determine the constitutionality of random drug testing of students in extra-curricular activities. School is a place to learn and grow. Sports, band, clubs, choir and other extracurricular activities are part of the whole high school experience. Why are people trying to ruin it?— ID# 5269 
Editorial — March 27, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California— Drug policy highlights racial issues— Nobody is going to dispute that drugs like cocaine and heroin are extremely addictive. It is, however, a common misconception that illegal drugs are far more addictive than alcohol and tobacco. This is by no means a safe assumption. In a study conducted by the University of San Francisco and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the addictive qualities of six drugs (cocaine, heroin, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and marijuana) were studied. Both USF and the NIDA found tobacco to be the most drug on which people become most dependent, and alcohol showed the strongest signs of withdrawal. In both tests, heroin and cocaine finished second and third, respectively.— ID# 5268
March 27, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Reported crimes in 2001 rise in county— The number of reported crimes in San Diego County's most populous areas rose last year at a higher rate than the rest of California, according to statistics released by the state Attorney General's Office. Unincorporated areas of the county patrolled by Sheriff's Department had the most dramatic increase in the region, with reported crime up 21 percent last year, when compared to 2000. Reported crime rose 9.9 percent in Oceanside, 8.8 percent in San Diego, 6.6 percent in Escondido, 5.3 percent in Chula Vista.— ID# 5267 
March 26, 2002 —The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Doctors Endorse higher smoking age— California doctors are doing their best to get underage smokers to "butt" out. In another step toward making smoking more difficult for youths, the 35,000-member California Medical Association announced that they would support any legislation to raise the legal age of persons purchasing or using tobacco products. The physicians association wants to raise the legal age of purchasing from 18 to 21 years of age. The CMA House of Delegates also voted to support increased fines and enforcement efforts to prevent adolescents from being exposed to tobacco products.— ID# 5256
March 26, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Marines stressing safety, effects of drunken driving— With vehicle accidents killing more Marines than war, base officials are holding a special program this week to emphasize safety and show the far-reaching effects of drunken driving. The effort comes during what Marine Commandant Gen. James Jones has called one of the Corps' worst years for accidents, both during training and while off duty. Motor-vehicle crashes continue to be the No. 1 killer of Marines, officials said. "In the war against terrorism, we've lost some Marines and sailors . . . but we've lost more on the highways," base commander Maj. Gen. David Bice told an audience yesterday.— ID# 5255
March 26, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — 'Smoke Mirrors'— Visitors to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park will soon be offered the chance to have themselves digitalized, sucked in and then blown out. And not only will they survive the experience, they should be wiser for it, too. It's all part of a "tobacco-will-kill-you" campaign targeting teens and young adults. The aggressive anti-smoking message relies heavily on Internet computer games played at home and an interactive "character-driven" virtual-reality exhibit at the museum.— ID# 5254
March 22, 2002 —The San Diego Channel — San Diego, California — Police Prepare for Spring Break Partying—  Beginning Friday night, the San Diego Police Department, in cooperation with several other agencies, will mount "Operation Safe Crossing," which is aimed at curtailing underage drinking and preventing people from driving while intoxicated. "Operation Safe Crossing will be conducting operations over the next three weekends in anticipation of spring break," San Diego Police Sgt. Max Verduzco said. Verduzco said police will be out in force at the San Ysidro border crossing, checking IDs and turning away anyone under the age of 18 who attempts to enter Mexico without a guardian.— ID# 5241 
March 22, 2002 — The Daily Aztec — San Diego, California — Across The Border— For some students in San Diego, their answer might be a little different than people at other universities They're going to Mexico. Thousands of San Diegan college students will head 30 miles south of Interstate 8 to party over the one-week break. Tijuana is just one of the places in the country students will visit to get "wild and crazy." However, drinking excessively, acting rowdy and the consequences of those actions could all result in dangerous situations. Physical therapy freshman Nick Brown knows the risks of going to Tijuana all too well. — ID# 5235 
March 22, 2002 — The San Diego Union Tribune — San Diego, California — Increase sought in cigarette tax— California's 4.2 million smokers would have to pony up 65 cents more per pack under a new measure that would make the state's tobacco tax the highest in the nation. The proposal, which appears to face long odds in an election year, would generate $750 million to help bridge a $17.5 billion budget deficit and re-energize the state's anti-smoking crusade, proponents said. The revenue would be earmarked for "the minority of the public that pays the tax," said state Sen. Debra Ortiz, D-Sacramento, who is carrying the legislation. More than half of the money, she said, would go toward medical services for the working poor, "the community most affected by tobacco use." — ID# 5234
March 22, 2002 — The North County Times — Escondido, California — North County Crime rate up, sheriff's numbers show— The felony crime rate in most North County areas patrolled by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department increased in 2001, statistics from the Sheriff's Department Crime Analysis Division show. The increase, which was the highest in the unincorporated area of Valley Center, bucks a nationwide downward trend. Only San Marcos and Vista saw their crime rate fall during 2001. Sheriff's Cmdr. Alan Truitt said this week that while he could not comment on the specific cause of the increase, he said that the uncertain state of the economy and a growing population such as North County's are most likely factors.— ID# 5232 
Editorial — March 21, 2002 — The North County Times — Escondido, California — Sad reminder of the dangers of drunk driving— MADD has been working in partnership with the San Diego Padres for five years to communicate our life-saving message about the dangers of drinking and driving. Now one of their own has lost his life and this team and family know firsthand what MADD victim survivors know ­­ that impaired driving is a senseless and preventable act with devastating consequences.— ID# 5227
March 17, 2002 — The North County Times — Escondido, California — Fallbrook High School officials dispute drug and alcohol violation ranking   — Officials at Fallbrook Union High School are disputing the findings of a state report that placed their school at the top in the number of drug and alcohol-related offenses committed at North County high schools during the 2000-01 school year. The report issued by the California Department of Educ