Back in the eighties, the popular myth was that all Manhattan attorneys had a leather briefcase, a good blue pen, and a Scarface-sized bowl of cocaine on their desk. Sadly, by the time I got to Biglaw the briefcase had been replaced by a canvas bag with a gaudy firm emblem emblazoned on the side like the mark of the beast. The nice pen was replaced with a desktop computer designed to block The Onion. And the coke was replaced by the marvelous ephedrine they used to put into Red Bull.

But perhaps London attorneys are poised to relive the NYC glory days. A new study reports that hard drug use is on the rise in the U.K.:

One partner claims he knows "people who just make a phone call from their office and nip down to reception to pick up their delivery" -- something that happens in every big law firm, he claims.

The survey, by the magazine Legal Business, also says that there is evidence of "cocaine clubs" in law firms' basements and of partner-led games of poker and taking cocaine with clients. But it also finds that law firms are ignorant or indifferent to the problem. One lawyer is quoted: "I spanked £100,000 on cocaine in one year and no one noticed.

If a partner ever invited me to a coke and poker party I would still be in rehab a practicing attorney today.

The key similarity between Britain today and the America of yesterday seems to be the total professional indifference to drug use:

The legal profession, unlike other classic professions such as medicine and teaching, does not give a damn, as long as you are profitable.

Well, nobody wants a coked-up doctor trying to save you from a cocaine overdose. And nobody wants a coke-head teaching your kids. But if a little nose candy is going to make you work longer, why would partners particularly care what you do on the side?

Because you could die? Because partners care about your health? Right. You could be the last unicorn and you'd still bill 100 hours a week if there was work to be done.

Substance abuse problems that span the ocean after the jump.

No, not that George Bush (although when George W. Bush was young and irresponsible, he was young and irresponsible). Meet George deVallon Bush, a prominent criminal defense attorney in Augusta, Georgia. From the Augusta Chronicle:

[George Bush] was taken into custody at a Broad Street bar as the result of an ongoing investigation, Sheriff Ronnie Strength said Monday night.

He is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to jail records. Sheriff Strength said the arrest was part of a two-week investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Richmond County sheriff's narcotics agents.

"Mr. Bush was arrested without incident about 5 p.m. at Ballroom Billiards, 978 Broad Street, with a half-ounce of cocaine in his pocket," Sheriff Strength said.

"That's a little more than typically used for personal use," said Richmond County sheriff's Sgt. Greg Meagher.

Sergeant Meagher, you're talking about an attorney, dammit. Please revise your blow consumption estimate upward.

Mr. Bush is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Georgia. He opened his Fourth Street law practice in 1994.

In November 2000, Mr. Bush was featured in Mademoiselle magazine in a beef-cake style election spoof about the Republican presidential candidate who shares his name.

And now perhaps they share more than just a name. Congratulations, Mr. Bush -- you're our Lawyer of the Day.

Attorney arrested on drug charges [Augusta Chronicle]

The Drug Enforcement Administration raided fraternities at San Diego State University yesterday. They found a treasure trove of evidence: two kilograms of cocaine, 350 Ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, hash oil, methamphetamine, illicit prescription drugs, several guns and $60,000 in cash. Those are the makings of quite a frat party.

Members of Theta Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Kappa Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Mu were allegedly running drug rings at the university. Seventy-five students were arrested yesterday. During finals. That sucks.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

A member of Theta Chi sent out a mass text message to his "faithful customers" stating that he and his "associates" would be unable to sell cocaine while they were in Las Vegas for a fraternity formal, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The text promoted a cocaine "sale" and listed the reduced prices on bulk quantities.

"Attn faithful customers both myself and my associates will be in Vegas this coming weekend," the 19-year-old student wrote in the text message. "So stock up, we will be back Sunday night."

Those arrested included a student who was about to receive a criminal justice degree and another who was to receive a master's degree in homeland security.

Criminal justice frat stud may need to change his major.

Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, agrees with the title of this post. He says to ABC News that the raid will cost taxpayers millions of dollars in court and prosecutorial fees and that "anyone who has gone to college knows there were always students who would deal drugs and who subsequently went on to prestigious careers in law, law enforcement, medicine and politics." No big deal.

6 fraternities suspended in drug probe at San Diego State U. [San Francisco Chronicle]
Critics Call College Bust 'Ridiculous, Nonsensical Waste' [ABC News]

A candy company's been under some scrutiny lately about their new drink mix, which they innocently named “Blow.” It comes in little clear packets and supposedly gives you lots and lots of energy. Athough it probably doesn’t work as well as that Adderall you have in your desk, it is likely much cheaper.

In any event, get your Blow now if you want it. The FDA is mighty displeased, and they’ve threatened legal action if the company doesn’t “rehab” its image. Hmm, what other drug-related words can we pack into this story?

In the current issue of the Legal Times, Attila Berry has this report:

A Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom attorney died in Australia last week. According to the Courier-Mail in Brisbane, Mark Bronson, a 44-year-old partner in the firm's Tokyo office, flew into the Brisbane airport on Nov. 21 and was stopped by customs officials after a drug-sniffing dog took an interest in him.

The officials scanned his baggage, and his luggage tested positive for cocaine, though preliminary tests can be inaccurate. Then while talking with the customs officers, Bronson had a seizure, fell to the floor and began vomiting. He died later that day in the hospital.

[T]he cause of death has not been determined, and a scan showed that he wasn't carrying drugs in his body. However, the news article says his vomit allegedly tested positive for cocaine, and he may have thrown up pieces of plastic as well.

Last week we also heard this gossip about Skadden Tokyo -- which, as noted below, is NOT TRUE:

I heard a rumor that an associate in Skadden's Tokyo office died of overwork (karoshi in Japanese). This info is secondhand though.

We wonder whether this false rumor arose out of the passing of Mr. Bronson. Cocaine and overwork are constant companions.

Correction / Update: As we suspected, it appears that the news about Mr. Bronson was transformed by the rumor mill into this urban legend of death through overwork. We understand that no associate in Skadden's Tokyo office, or any other office for that matter, has died from overwork.

Skadden Partner Dies After Drug Search [Legal Times]
Mark L. Bronson [Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom]
So Many Japanese Die of Over-Work They Have a Word for It [Blogonaut]

Oh goodness. And you thought Paris Hilton was troubled. From the AP:

Lindsay Lohan, who just finished a second stint in rehab for substance abuse treatment, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Tuesday, authorities said.

Lohan, who is already facing a drunken driving charge in Beverly Hills, was pulled over near the Santa Monica Police Department after authorities spotted her car chasing another vehicle.....

Authorities conducted a field sobriety test and then transported Lohan to the police department. The 21-year-old actress was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on a suspended license and possession of cocaine, among other charges, [Sgt. Shane] Talbot said.

Police found cocaine in one of her pants pockets during a pre-booking search, Talbot said.

Summer associates can get pretty wild, especially after they've had a few drinks. But Lolita ain't got nothing on LiLo.

Law-and-economics types will appreciate this analysis, from Perez Hilton:

This could ruin Lindsay’s career! NO ONE is going to want to work with her now. And IF they do hire her, Lohan will most likely be forced to pay for her own insurance on films, which will be VERY COSTLY.

See, the market IS efficient! Even the market in alcoholic, coke-addicted young strumpets.

Lohan in Car Chase [TMZ.com]
It Was Cocaine!!!!!! [PerezHilton.com]
Lohan Booked on Suspicion of DUI [Associated Press]
Lindsay Lohan Arrested for DUI, Again [ABC7.com via Drudge Report]

The following comes from a trial in the Southern District of Alabama, Chief Judge Ginny Granade presiding. It's from an assistant U.S. attorney’s examination of an accomplice in a bank robbery:

Q: Well, let me just as an aside right now, what kind of a high, what kind of feeling do you get from smoking, and you were smoking crack?

A: Yes, ma'am.

Q: What kind of a high do you get from that?

A: You get a real intense high and you're not really able to really able to make good -- good judgment calls about what you’re doing.

News flash: Crack use may impair your judgment. That's why all the Biglaw attorneys stick to powder cocaine. Clients pay them big bucks for their sound judgment!

The excerpt from the trial transcript continues, after the jump.