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Strange News...Weird but True A federal judge in Tennessee has thrown out marijuana charges because a drug dog is wrong more than he's right. Judge Leon Jordan ruled there was no probable cause for officers to search the motor home of David and Pamela Stonebreaker of Virginia. The couple's vehicle was searched after a Knox County Sheriff's Department drug dog named Falco "hit" on it after officers stopped them. Police found 60 pounds of marijuana inside. Jordan wrote in his ruling that Falco's accuracy record of under 36 percent doesn't fit the definition of fair probability that drugs would be found. Defense testimony in December established the dog went on alert 225 times between 1998 and 2000. Police found narcotics in only 80 of those instances. FDA Warns About Orlaam The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new warning about health risks associated with levomethadyl acetate HC, a.k.a. Orlaam, a drug used to treat opiate addiction, the Associated Press reported April 20. According to the FDA, 10 cases of serious heartbeat rhythm changes were reported among patients taking levomethadyl acetate HC. The drug, manufactured by Roxane Laboratories Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, is marketed under the brand name Orlaam. In issuing its warning, the FDA said that Orlaam labeling must contain a stronger warning about the risk of irregular heart rhythm. Furthermore, the drug should only be used for patients who fail to respond to other treatments, such as methadone maintenance, the FDA said. |||

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	June 2001