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A “vastly larger” number of people than thought may abuse cocaine, suggest the results of a study measuring a breakdown product of the illegal drug in an Italian river.
Levels of a cocaine residue excreted in human urine were measured in the River Po, Italy’s largest river. The river has a catchment basin for about five-million people, with major cities like Turin and Milan situated in the valley.
The equivalent of about 4 kilograms of cocaine flowed in the river each day, say the researchers from Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan, and the University of Insubria in Varese.
And how long until this data is used to justify vastly increased funding for the 'war on drugs'? To me, this new statistic implies that drug use, though rampant, is NOT a problem for the majority of users: they go about their lives normally and happily, so normally and happily that we didnt even know they were using. To me, any extra funding on the 'war on drugs' should target the minority of drug users who abuse drugs and have problems with them. Education. Counselling. Promoting a culture of responsible use- like we do with that other, far more pervaasive and dangerous drug, alcohol.
Hurrumph. Grumpy has turned to cynical. Damn rat race...
Levels of a cocaine residue excreted in human urine were measured in the River Po, Italy’s largest river. The river has a catchment basin for about five-million people, with major cities like Turin and Milan situated in the valley.
The equivalent of about 4 kilograms of cocaine flowed in the river each day, say the researchers from Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan, and the University of Insubria in Varese.
And how long until this data is used to justify vastly increased funding for the 'war on drugs'? To me, this new statistic implies that drug use, though rampant, is NOT a problem for the majority of users: they go about their lives normally and happily, so normally and happily that we didnt even know they were using. To me, any extra funding on the 'war on drugs' should target the minority of drug users who abuse drugs and have problems with them. Education. Counselling. Promoting a culture of responsible use- like we do with that other, far more pervaasive and dangerous drug, alcohol.
Hurrumph. Grumpy has turned to cynical. Damn rat race...