Pubdate: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Russ Akins Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) HUMAN LAB RATS? COCAINE USE STUDIED Are they human lab rats or subjects in important medical research? McGill University Prof. Marco Leyton and his fellow researchers at the University's Dept. of Psychiatry researchers are conducting a study on the role of brain chemicals in cocaine use. But Langley-Abbotsford Alliance MP Randy White questions the scientific merits of the study, saying he can't believe the ethics board of McGill was willing to approve the experiments, which he says pays the subjects $500 to participate. The McGill researchers sought men men, age 18-40, who have used cocaine during the past year. The study involves four 24-hour hospital stays, an interview, the ingestion of protein drinks, and the administration of cocaine. Participants will be compensated for their time. "I haven't seen Mr. White's press release, and so I cannot comment in detail," Leyton told the Abbotsford News this week. "What I have seen are some quotes from Mr. White. These quotes indicate his strong support for offering treatment to people addicted to cocaine, and I applaud this completely. "The issue for me as a medical scientist, though, is that there are no treatments. We simply do not have medications that are effective. It is my hope that the research we are doing here will teach us us how to decrease cocaine craving and high. "If we can do that, we might be able to use that information to develop effective medicines," said Leyton. Said White: "Addicts in this country need funds for medium and long term treatment facilities, for rehabilitation program and centres. That is where the money should be spent." White said Health Canada gave Customs clearance to allow the cocaine to be sent from Scotland to Montreal. "If the federal government has so much additional money to throw around, why not pay $500 to each drug addict who is willing to come in from the streets to necessary treatment?," asked the MP. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake