Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 The Vancouver Sun Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Author: Susan Biali Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n082/a06.html ABUSING DRUGS IS NOT OKAY I wish to point out a flaw in Carellin Brooks's otherwise thoughtful commentary on the drug-related death of Courtenay RCMP Constable Barry Schneider (A sad, ironic lesson about drug abuse, Jan. 15). She implies that, given the advanced nature of his coronary artery disease, Mr. Schneider could have died shortly from a unrelated heart attack, which might therefore negate the "harm" caused by the drugs. Cocaine use is known to dramatically accelerate the process of atherosclerosis, as a result of the trauma inflicted by the drug on the cardiovascular system. As such, Mr. Schneider's documented coronary disease may well have been due to cocaine use. In addition, cocaine can cause direct and immediate effects on the heart muscle and coronary arteries, which can precipitate heart attacks in young people with no pre-existing coronary disease. These people end up in expensive coronary care units if they manage to survive. Everyone in need has a right to treatment, and drug addiction is a disease in its own right. However, the harm inflicted by this drug is definitely a detriment to our already strained health-care system. Susan Biali, MD West Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake