American Morning
Health care debate heats up Florida town hall meeting
(CNN) – One of the top House Democrats who led the charge to pass health care reform is now getting an earful from her constituents. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.
Teens talk of prescription drug abuse
Editor's Note: Addiction to painkillers is fueling criminal behavior, from fraudulent prescriptions to murder. On Wednesday's American Morning, see how authorities are trying to stop people who aren't able to stop themselves.
(CNN) – Prescription drug abuse has grabbed headlines with the high-profile deaths of celebrities like Corey Haim, Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, and Michael Jackson. But the epidemic is not limited to Hollywood.
In the second part of the special series "Addicted," our Kiran Chetry talks candidly with three young people about how drug abuse became a way of life for them.
West Virginia governor: 'This was a horrific explosion'
(CNN) Our John Roberts talks to West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin about the explosion that killed 25 miners.
LIVE Blog: Chat with us during the show
Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/06/prescrip.drugs.art.jpg caption="An estimated 5.2 million Americans abuse prescription drugs and the problem is growing so fast that experts say that the number of drug treatment facilities will need to double in the next 10 years."]
Prescription Pill Cocktail
(CNN) – The number of prescription drug overdose deaths is now the number one cause of overdose death in the U.S. and it’s they're the second most abused drug behind marijuana. The biggest group of abusers, people ages twelve to twenty five and they’re mixing multiple drugs creating their own custom high.
In our next installment of our special series, "Addicted," we spoke with two current prescription drug abusers and one former user and get an up close and personal look at how easy it is to start a habit and how hard it is to break.
Sound off: How far reaching is the prescription drug phenomena? Add your comments to the LIVE blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
25 killed in West Virginia mine blast
Montcoal, West Virginia (CNN) - The death toll from the massive explosion at a sprawling coal mine in West Virginia rose to 25 early Tuesday, making it the deadliest U.S. mining disaster in 25 years.
Crews halted their efforts to reach four miners still unaccounted for at the Upper Big Branch Mine following the blast Monday afternoon.
Concentrations of methane and carbon monoxide inside the mine made it a safety risk for crews to proceed, said Kevin Stricklin of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration at a 2 a.m. briefing to reporters.
Officials planned to drill bore holes from the surface 1,200 feet into the mines to help ventilate it and to collect samples. However, they will first have to use bulldozers to clear a path to reach the part of the mine where they can drill.
Stricklin said he did not know how long the process would take.
"I think it's a dire situation but I do think that it is a rescue operation and it will be that way until we confirm that these four additional people are not living," he said. "I mean, there are miracles that go on."
"Basically all we have left," Stricklin said, "is hope."
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Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
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