Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "drug abuse" ...

  • Off Track: Clandestine Racing in California

    This story delved into an unknown world of illegal and clandestine horse racing happening on private tracks throughout the state of California. The straight-track races occur on properties throughout the state. KCRA uncovered a world where drug deals, prostitution, illegal gambling and animal cruelty are the norm. KCRA got the point of view of investigators and a veterinary scientist who found that horses were being dosed with mixtures of cocaine and methamphetamine. Added to this was the fact that few local law enforcement know it's happening and state investigators don't have the resources to stop the racing from happening.

    Tags: Horse racing; drug deals; prostituion; gambling; animal abuse; veterinary science; cocaine; methamphetamine

    By Dave Manoucheri: Investigative Producer; Gulstan Dart: Anchor/Reporter; Larry Blitstein: Photographer

    KCRA-TV (Sacramento, Calif.)

    2012

  • Methadone, a Costly Fix

    A News Tribune investigation found that methadone treatment in Minnesota is widely abused, has led to overdoses and deaths, sees few complete the treatment, has dealers selling the drug on the streets, and costs taxpayers millions each year.

    Tags: Methadone; methadone overdoses; methadone treatmentl; drugs; drug dealers; taxpayers

    By Brandon Stahl

    Duluth News-Tribune (Duluth, Minn.)

    2012

  • Struggling to Understand

    The story takes an investigative look at the personal struggles of the recent suicide victims in a small seaside New Jersey town and examined how the school and community at large responded to what is for New Jersey an unprecedented public health crisis. While each case involved a unique set of circumstances, the reporters found that a history of mentalillness, alcohol and drug abuse -- and a community all to willing to turn a blind eye to teen substance abuse -- played a role in the majority of the deaths.

    Tags: suicide; mental illness; drug abuse; youth suicide

    By Shannon Mullen; Paul D'Ambrosio; Tom Costello; Dan Sinni

    Asbury Park Press

    2011

  • R.C.'s Boys

    The story investigates the case of former NC state Senator R.C. Soles, showing that Soles sexually assulted numerous young men, and then paid them to keep their silence. The reporters found that the abuse had a profound effect on the lives of the teens, who grew into troubled adults and often turned to drugs and alcohol to ease the pain.

    Tags: NC; state; senator; sexual; abuse; offender;

    By Kevin Maurer; Shelby Sebens

    Star-News (Wilmington, NC)

    2011

  • DUI Pilots: Warning Signs Ignored

    KIRO-TV found that only a small fraction of the pilots caught for abusing alcohol or drugs were actually being monitored by federal regulators. The reporter discovered with computed assisted reporting how easy it is for these pilots to manipulate the system and avoid detection.

    Tags: airplanes; DUI; drunk-driving; regulation; pilots

    By Chris Halsne; Bill Benson; David Weed

    KIRO-TV (Seattle)

    2010

  • Seniors for Sale

    A look into Washington's adult homes for vulnerable adults reveals that thousands of elderly were drugged into submission or left without proper medical treatment for weeks by amateur caregivers. At least 236 deaths were believed to be the result of neglect or abuse in the homes. To reduce the state's Medicaid burden, thousands of nursing-home residents were relocated to less-expensive homes which brought harm to many of the adults.

    Tags: elderly; negligence; abuse; Medicaid;

    By Michael J. Berens

    Seattle Times

    2010

  • When Caregivers Harm

    The investigation exposes failure of state nursing overseers to take corrective action against licensed caregivers accused of malpractice. Lack of competent oversight led impaired nurses to cause harm to patients through abuse, negligence and stealing patient medication for recreational use among other wrongdoings.

    Tags: nurses; California; Nursing Board; harm; caregivers; Tracy Weber; malpractice; drugs; abuse; negligence; discipline;

    By Tracy Weber

    Los Angeles Times

    2009

  • Carnival Safety Investigation

    Inside Edition sent a producer with hidden cameras to work at several traveling carnivals around the country where he uncovered major drug use by some of the carnival ride operators. In addition to capturing "ride jockeys" abusing (and dealing) drugs just minutes before they began operating major thrill rides popular with children and young adults, our producer also observed several serious safety issues inherent in the traveling carnival industry. Among these safety issues were questionable hiring practices, inadequate training policies and dangerous mechanical issues on multiple rides.

    Tags: carnival safety; public safety; ride jockeys; drug use; sex offenders; ex-con; traveling carnivals;

    By Charles Lachman; Bob Read; Matt Meagher; Charles McLravy; Marissa Yaremich; Filip Kapsa

    Inside Edition (New York)

    2008

  • Air Marshals: Undercover and Under Arrest

    The Federal Air Marshal Service presents the image of an elite undercover force charged with making life-and-death decisions that demand sound judgment. ProPublica found that dozens of air marshals have been charged with crimes, including 18 felonies, and hundreds more have been accused of misconduct. Cases include smuggling drugs past airport security, aiding a human trafficking ring, child sex abuse, bribery, drunken driving, domestic violence, holding an escort against her will during an overnight layover, solicitation to commit murder and voyeurism after one air marshal was caught taking photos of women's genitals on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

    Tags: air marshals; Transportation Safety Agency; human trafficking; child sex abuse; drunken driving; domestic violence; criminal convictions

    By Michael Grabell; Tom Detzel; Krista Kjellman; Jamie Wilson

    ProPublica

    2008

  • A Troubled Diagnosis

    "Overcrowding, violence and drug abuse have made New Jersey's Ancora Psychiatric Hospital a place where no one is safe. The report triggered a U.S. Civil Rights investigation into the hospital, plus reform bills in the Legislature."

    Tags: mental health; asylum; clinical evaluation; DeWitt Crandell; human services; psych ward; suicide; mental illness; neglect

    By Alan Guenther; Paul D'Ambrosio; Keith Newman

    Asbury Park Press (Neptune, N.J.)

    2008