Oregon woman held for 18 days in Japan for prescription drug with amphetamine returning to US

An Oregon woman who was detained in Japan for 18 days after her mother shipped her a prescription drug for attention-deficit disorder now plans to return home.

Carrie Russell takes Adderall, and a three-month refill of the drug containing amphetamine was sent to her in Japan, where she planned to teach English. Japan has strict laws against amphetamine.

Russell was arrested Feb. 20 and held in a women's detention center.

Members of Congress and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy worked for her release, which was announced Monday. The family wrote an apology letter, saying she didn't intend to break the law.

Russell told The Oregonian (http://bit.ly/1888ygv) she was shocked to be arrested, but the detention facility was "not anything terrifying." She says she had bento meals and did daily chores.