Cocaine deaths in U.S. triple in last five years

Press, 23 July 1986, Page 21

Cocaine deaths in U.S. triple in last five years

NZPA-AP Washington Deaths from cocainerelated heart attacks and cocaine-related emergency room visits have roughly tripled in the United States in the last five years, according to Government drug abuse experts. Until recently, the risk of sudden death was eclipsed by the debate over addiction and cocaine’s mind-altering characteristics, said Dr Donald lan Macdonald, head of the Government’s alcohol, drug abuse and mental health administration. That changed dramatically in June after Len Bias, a University of Maryland basketball star, and Don Rogers, a player for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League, died suddenly after using cocaine. “Despite the scientific and an

ing awareness of consequences of chronic use of cocaine, few have been aware that the drug can kill on the first dose,” Dr Macdonald said. “Cocaine can be, and not infrequently is, a killer." There are three documented ways cocaine can kill suddenly, Dr Macdonald said: • Cocaine’s sudden stimulation of the central nervous system can cause convulsions, followed by respiratory system failure. • The drug can affect nerves regulating the heart beat, leading to an irregular beat called arhythmia. The most serious arhythmia can result in cardiac arrest and almost instantaneous death. • Cocaine makes the heart beat faster, which requires more oxygen. At the same time, it narrows blood vessels carrying oxygen. This can starve the heart muscles of oxygen and cause a heart attack.