Pubdate: Mon, 07 Nov 2005
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286

TRACES OF COCAINE IN THAMES INDICATE 'HEALTH CARE TIME BOMB'

So much cocaine is being used in London that traces of the white 
powdered narcotic can be detected in the River Thames, the Sunday 
Telegraph newspaper said.

Citing scientific research it had commissioned, it said an estimated 
two kilograms of cocaine, or 80,000 lines, spill into the river every 
day after it has passed through users' bodies and sewage treatment plants.

It extrapolated that 150,000 lines of the illegal drug are snorted in 
the British capital every day, or 15 times more than the official 
figure given by the Home Office.

"Because of the long-term complications of cocaine use, we are 
looking at a health care time bomb," clinical toxologist John Henry 
was quoted as saying.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman