Cocaine warnings

The association of substance abuse with emergency department (ED) visits in 21 different metropolitan areas in the United States is reported by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). This survey tracks ED visits that are due to a condition induced by or related to drug use. Included in the data are ED visits associated with alcohol, alone and in combination with other substances of abuse, including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and major stimulants. Figure 33-2 indicates the number of ED visits that are associated with illicit... 

By the late Wth century a variety of medicines containing powerful opiates or cocaine were readily available in the United States over-the-counter without a prescription. While conscientious pharmacists might warn customers about the potential dangers of such drugs, there was essentially no regulation of their use. 

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled The Cocaine Habit warns of growing abuse of the drug among poor people, especially blacks. A racist stereotype of cocaine-crazed Negroes begins to develop. 

FBI warns crack cocaine use and cocaine addiction are on the rise in the Untied States. 

In addition, the purveyors of thousands of patent medicines—containing drugs such as opium, morphine, heroin, and cocaine—sold them without restriction. The makers of these medicines, who regularly made false claims about their therapeutic value, did not even list ingredients or warnings on the labels. 

In 2000, heroin was second only to cocaine in the number of drug-related emergency room episodes reported to a national registry run by the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Heroin, listed as a principal agent in respiratory and cardiac emergencies, went from 33,884 episodes nationwide in 1990 to 94,804 in 2000—an increase of nearly 180%. 

Like amphetamines and cocaine, the DEA warns, abuse of methylphenidate can lead to marked tolerance and psychic dependence. The pattern of abuse is characterized by escalation of dose, frequent episodes of binge use followed by severe depression, and an overpowering desire to continue the use of this drug despite medical and social consequences. 27... 

WWW. emcdda.eu.int, Intoxications with cocaine adulterated with atropine in four EU Member States. Information from the EMCDDA and REITOX Early Warning System (Nov./Dec. 2004 - Feb. 2005)... 

MacKinnon, D. P. (1995). Review of the cftccts of the alcohol warning label. In R. R. Watson (Ed.), Drug and alcohol abuse reviews Vol. 7. Alcohol, cocaine, and accidents (pp. 131-161). Totowa, NJ Humana Press. 

It can be quite difficult to tell if someone you care about is using cocaine. There are certain clues, warning signs that may indicate that cocaine or another illicit drug may be causing a problem ... 

It is no accident that few of the foods and beverages listed in Table 13-4 are basic. The often disagreeably bitter taste associated with bases may be an evolutionary adaptation that warns against alkaloids, a family of organic, nitrogen-containing bases that are often poisonous. A few alkaloids, such as caffeine, are consumed for pleasure, but usually these are acquired tastes. Other alkaloids include morphine, nicotine, and cocaine. 

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