The Health Effects of Cocaine

The behavioral effects of prenatal cocaine exposure at age 5 years have been studied in 140 children exposed to cocaine, 61 exposed to alcohol, tobacco, and/or marijuana, and 120 not exposed to any drugs (290). They were evaluated with the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. There was no association between behavior and intrauterine cocaine exposure. However, the current behavioral health of the mother, including recent drug use and psychological functioning, did affect the child s internalizing and externalizing behavior. 

When users do combine inhalants with other drugs, the effects increase the health risks. Alcohol slows down the metabolism of toluene, thus raising its concentration in the blood. Cocaine can boost the... 

Ritalin is a mild stimulant. On the contrary, the studies found that Ritalin, although effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD, shows no clear long-term improvement on users and can have dangerous effects on health, including death. Because the effects of Ritalin on humans are virtually identical to those produced by cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine (speed), the researchers noted that its abuse liability is high and can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence. 

This review generated responses from other authorities in the field. Some commented that the conclusions may be premature, given the age of the subjects, and drew attention to several studies that have shown subtle but consistent deficits in cognitive and attentional processes in 6-and 7-year-old children (302). These effects may become more prominent as development continues and may persist into adulthood. Others criticized the attempt to isolate cocaine exposure from all other associated risk factors from a public health perspective, prenatal cocaine exposure clusters with other risk factors, such as poor caregiving, child maltreatment, domestic violence, and prenatal exposure to other substances (303). Furthermore, the selection criteria narrowed the total articles reviewed to under half of the 74 articles found. Others suggested that the study had been misinterpreted (304). 

Many northern states, however, also had anticannabis laws as early as 1915. To the legislators of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York, a narcotic was a narcotic, whatever its name. Cannabis was considered a narcotic and therefore was accorded the same status as opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine, all of which were proscribed. Thus, when New York City s Board of Health prohibited cannabis from the city s streets in 1914, the New York Times (July 30, 1914) reported that the drag was a "narcotic [with] practically the same effect as morphine and cocaine... [and] the inclusion of cannabis indica among the drags to be sold only on prescription is only common sense. Devotees of hashish are now hardly numerous here to count, but they are likely to increase as other narcotics become harder to obtain."... 

A 1 997 Dutch study showed that up to 90 % of clients on an average daily dose of 50 mg methadone also used cocaine and heroin, and 70 % used alcohol. First results of a study, initiated by the ministerfor health, into the effect of different methadone dosages on experimental groups show that the group receiving a higher dose became more stable, their health and social skills deteriorated less frequently and even improved somewhat more often. 

Their wide spectrum of biolc cal activities provides numerous classes of useful medicinal agents, and yet, at the same time, they provide a global paradox. In spite of many health beneficent effects, two alkaloids, cocaine and morphine (and its derivative heroin), are the ft)cus of a counter culture of illicit use of biological powerful alkaloids, and many alkaloids, because of their profound toxicity, are to be feared. On the other hand, the xanthine alkaloids, caffeine and threobromine, are an integral aspect of providing pleasure in the daily lives of most of the world in the consumption of tea, coffee, and chocolate. 

In a randomized controlled study of the effect of prison-initiated methadone maintenance at 12 months after release, those on prison-initiated methadone maintenance (n = 71) were reported to have a longer duration of treatment in the community than the controls (counseling only, n = 70 counseling and transfer to methadone service after release, n = 70) were less likely to have urine positive for opioids reported reduced use of cocaine had reduced criminal activity and had fewer serious adverse events, such as deaths [17 ]. This study has highlighted the public health implications of optimal prescribing. 

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