A Southern California woman who gave methadone to her 17-year-old daughter's friend was sentenced to six years in state prison as punishment for the girl's fatal overdose.

"Prosecutor Chris Lindberg told the judge that the victim was not to blame and said [the mother's] 'reckless behavior' to give a dangerous prescription drug to a minor caused [the teen's] death."

The victim's mother vowed to pass a law named after her daughter that would require warnings on prescription methadone bottles. Source: San Diego CW6 News

Labels: death, overdose, punishment

Seven years ago, New Jersey adopted a law that allows municipalities to enact ordinances about teenage drinking on private property. A handful of Middlesex County communities are utilizing the law to enforce punishments on teens caught drinking on private property.

"In East Brunswick's case, its ordinance punishes teenagers caught drinking on private property with license suspensions of six months, plus fines of $250 for a first offense and $350 thereafter."

These Middlesex communities hope the new ordinances will help curb teenage drinking. Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become dependant on alcohol. Read more at thnt.com.

Labels: ordinances, punishment, teenage_drinking