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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Stouts fire burns 15,000 acres and counting ... 'Mitigation banking' ... The El Niño effect ... Stouts fire burns 15,000 acres and counting ... 'Mitigation banking' ... The El Niño effect ... RELEASED Japan releases Oregonian held for 18 days over prescription Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 10, 2015 at 5:14 PM By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 10, 2015 at 5:14 PM » Social News PORTLAND — An Oregon woman detained for 18 days in Japan over a shipment of prescription pills for attention-deficit disorder now plans to return home. Carrie Russell, 26, was in Japan to teach English. She takes Adderall, a drug that is commonly prescribed in the United States but contains amphetamines, which are strictly outlawed in Japan. Japanese authorities detained her Feb. 20 at a restaurant where she was eating with friends, and they held her in a women's detention center. Members of Congress and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy worked for Russell's release. Russell told The Oregonian she was shocked to be arrested, but the detention facility was "not anything terrifying." She said she had bento meals, did daily chores and added to her four-word Japanese vocabulary, such as how to say "refill my water." Russell said she was not held in solitary confinement, as her family initially was told, and she was unaware of the attention focused on her imprisonment and the diplomatic efforts to end it. She said she hopes to return to Japan, probably to teach English as she did in South Korea. "In spite of this," Russell said, "I love Japan." Her mother, Dr. Jill Russell of Hillsboro, sent a three-month supply of the pills to Carrie Russell in South Korea. The daughter then reshipped the unopened package from South Korea to Japan, along with some household goods. The pills were prescribed by Carrie Russell's doctor, Michelle Mears. The family wrote an apology letter, saying they did not intend to break the law. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon announced Carrie Russell's release late Monday, saying he was "thrilled that common sense has won the day." Among those who worked for her release was Loren Podwill, her stepfather and a lawyer at a prominent West Coast law firm. Podwill was told of Carrie Russell's pending release and flew to Japan to meet her. He said she looked and sounded exhausted. "We hope that Carrie will have learned things that will make her a better person, and will have educated American travelers to the risk of not checking first to make sure that your prescription drugs are legal where you're going," he said.     By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Mar. 10, 2015 at 5:14 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501