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News & ArtsThursday, June 4, 2009
Health As if Cocaine Wasn't Dangerous Enough
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Public Health of Seattle and King County has just issued a warning that some cocaine and crack in Seattle have been cut with an animal drug that, when consumed, can lead to death. Levamisole, a de-worming medication, was mixed with the cocaine somewhere high on the supply chain, says Ann Forbes, director of the Alcohol and Drug Information line. "It is not [being cut] after the drug dealer has it," she says. "It is happening before it comes to them." The medication has no odor and cannot be detected by scent or taste, she says, and drastically reduces the white blood cells required to fight infection. Public health officials recommend that people who have used cocaine and have certain symptoms—such at fever, chills, mouth sores—should immediately contact their doctors or go to the ER.
Here's the flier:
Forbes says that calling the drug help line wouldn't subject a user to investigation and arrest for possession of cocaine. However, as a point of common-sense advice, I don't recommend calling 911 to your house regarding cocaine unless you want police to show up and start poking around.
6
Do we still lack any immunity laws for people who wish to call for medical emergencies? That's so ass backwards.
I guess anyone concerned for their own safety should run out and find a pay phone before dialing 911. Yay for BS and unnecessary death.
I guess anyone concerned for their own safety should run out and find a pay phone before dialing 911. Yay for BS and unnecessary death.
10
@ 8) Yes, because then they will... die? We're talking about people who use drugs, not axe-wielding maniacs. Most drug users use them casually, occasionally, and safely. Even cocaine users. They're a huge portion of the population and just because they get high--or abuse the drug or are horribly addicted to it--is hardly a reason to wish for their death.
11
Another reason to make drugs safe and legal. But dead drug users, like dead prostitutes, doesn't bother the sensibilities of all those morally superior prigs.
12
This brings up an interesting possible alternative strategy in the drug war. Instead of attempting to shut down the supply chain, the government could conduct widespread "black ops" to poision the supply. Drug users would be dropping dead left and right, addicts would always wonder if their next hit would be their last, and drug consumption would probably drop precipitously.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
13
12# excellent idea, a de fact death penalty for drug use. You're like a Care Bear that shits rainbows and pisses sparkles.
16
It's obvious the solution is to sell it in controlled settings, like the other recreational drugs tobacco and alcohol.
And tax it up the yin yang.
And tax it up the yin yang.
17
Maybe this is a dumb question, but...
Why? Why would this be a problem--putting animal medication into cocaine? Even assuming that the producers don't care a whit about the health of their clients--if cocaine producers are going to cut their cocaine with something, is animal medication really the cheapest option? Or are all the cheaper options detectable?
In terms of treating one's customers like shit, this makes the RIAA/MPAA look like amateurs.
Why? Why would this be a problem--putting animal medication into cocaine? Even assuming that the producers don't care a whit about the health of their clients--if cocaine producers are going to cut their cocaine with something, is animal medication really the cheapest option? Or are all the cheaper options detectable?
In terms of treating one's customers like shit, this makes the RIAA/MPAA look like amateurs.
18
Some would say that warnings like this -- along with needle exchanges, safe injection sites, MDMA purity test kits, and generally providing accurate information about the risks of various drugs -- just encourage drug use. Why would we want to help people do something they're not supposed to be doing in the first place more safely, right? People who believe that would, it seems, support the idea of putting more dangerous drugs in cocaine in order to increase the risk of harm associated with it as a disincentive to use.
The longer we wait to move from prohibitionist drug policy to regulatory drug policy, the more harm will be done. I don't know how to get this into people's heads other than to say it every chance I get. I hope others will join me.
See also: The King County Bar Association's 2005 resolution requesting the Washington Legislature to establish a special consultative body composed of public officials, civic leaders and experts to develop recommendations for legislation to create regulatory systems for the control of psychoactive substances.
The longer we wait to move from prohibitionist drug policy to regulatory drug policy, the more harm will be done. I don't know how to get this into people's heads other than to say it every chance I get. I hope others will join me.
See also: The King County Bar Association's 2005 resolution requesting the Washington Legislature to establish a special consultative body composed of public officials, civic leaders and experts to develop recommendations for legislation to create regulatory systems for the control of psychoactive substances.
19
Oh, and while distribution of this warning is nice, offering a test kit to detect Levamisole would be even better. Somebody should find out if such a thing exists. It seems that doing so would benefit public health, even if only the health of those who choose to buy cocaine on the black market we've created by prohibiting it.
In a way, arguing for maintaining prohibition is like arguing for poisoning people.
In a way, arguing for maintaining prohibition is like arguing for poisoning people.
20
@19 I think a test would be a bit much and a waste of taxpayer money. This warning was enough. Casual users will abstain for a couple of weeks and addicts will roll the dice.
23
People die from casually using "good" cocaine every day in this country. Cocaine predisposes otherwise healthy individuals to arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. Both of which can and do lead to death. I'm not suggesting that we should continue to punish drug users, but this flier strongly implies that cocaine or crack not cut with lavamisole is "good" or at least safe.
24
@23 I don't see where this flier says anything of the sort and were I a drug abuser of any kind I would appreciate the city overlooking the stigma around drug use and making people aware of the danger.
25
If only we didn't live in a world where some asshat can get the bright idea to cut lethal drugs into their product and still turn a profit. Oh ya, put the drug dealers behind bars that's totally going to stop all the drug users.
28
So basically, Levamisole is a drug that gives you (the immunological equivalent of) instant AIDS?
Now, THERE'S a conspiracy theory for you!
Now, THERE'S a conspiracy theory for you!
29
@27 well then I guess anybody stupid enough to drive deserves death by car accident right?
There is a difference between casual use and addiction, no, I am not a casual user or an addict, never touched the stuff, but I have many friends who been casual users for years with no problems.
Addiction is a problem with any substance, being an addict or user of any substance (including many legal ones mind you) does not make you a bad person. But I guess you wouldn't know that because you are so much better and more pure and more capable of passing judgment than the rest of us.
There is a difference between casual use and addiction, no, I am not a casual user or an addict, never touched the stuff, but I have many friends who been casual users for years with no problems.
Addiction is a problem with any substance, being an addict or user of any substance (including many legal ones mind you) does not make you a bad person. But I guess you wouldn't know that because you are so much better and more pure and more capable of passing judgment than the rest of us.
30
So, if the clear support for murdering, torturing, kidnapping cartels doesn't turn people off from buying cocaine, this warning will.. ?
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