According to the survey of The National Association of Counties, nearly half of all county law enforcement officials say methamphetamine use is their primary drug problem. According to officials, meth abuse is more problematic than the use of cocaine, marijuana and heroin put together.

Bill Hansell, the association's president and commissioner of Umatilla County, told the AP, "Abuse of this highly addictive brain-altering drug continues to destroy lives and strain essential county services across America

A new study reveals that the hallucinogenic chemical in 'magic mushrooms' can help fight off signs of depression as well as anxiety and drug dependence.

A compound in the mushrooms called psilocybin, can prompt changes in a person's mood and behavior to a more positive affect

According to decades of research, smoking marijuana can change lung tissue, which could promote the growth of cancerous cells.

However, the marijuana and lung cancer link is still not absolute

A study conducted in Norway adds to evidence that illicit drug use may be strongly influenced by genetic factors. Previous studies on the role genes have on drug use were performed in countries with high rates of drug abuse, in particular the United States and Canada.

Study chief Dr Kenneth S. Kendler, from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, told Reuters, "This is the first study to show the importance of genetic factors in a culture/country (Norway) with rather low rates of drug problems

A Norwegian study has shown more evidence that genetic factors may play an important role in the use of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

Dr. Kenneth S. Kendler stated that previous studies were done in countries, namely the United States and Australia, that had a high rate of drug abuse