Am putting together a presentation on drugs. Am confused by Schedule 2
class (current accepted medical use) for cocaine. I didn't know
cocaine had any current accepted medical use. Can you clarify?

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Request for Question Clarification by thx1138-ga on 18 Jan 2005 07:09 PST

Hello leaping and thank you for your question.

For which country do you require this information?

Very best regards

THX1138

Dear leaping-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

Cocaine does indeed have accepted clinical uses. In fact, it is the
only naturally occurring local anesthetic in medical use today. It is
used in US medicine mainly as a topical anesthetic in eye, ear, nose,
and throat surgery and fiber tube optical examinations of the upper
respiratory and digestive tracts, and occasionally as a topical
anesthetic to ease the painful maladies (lacerations, etc) of the skin
in children. In Europe the drug is also used as a local anesthetic and
vasoconstrictor. There are, however, no currently acceptable medical
uses for cocaine in rock form (crack cocaine) ? Why? Because once it
has been processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as
crack cocaine often is, the substance purity is adulterated and deemed
inappropriate for medical use.

?Cocaine was first controlled in the United States under the Harrison
Narcotic Act of 1914. Currently, cocaine falls under Schedule II of
the Controlled Substances Act. A Schedule II Controlled Substance has
a high potential for abuse, is currently accepted for medical use in
treatment in the United States, and may lead to severe psychological
or physical dependence. Currently, cocaine can be administered by a
doctor for legitimate medical uses, such as for a local anesthetic for
some eye, ear, and throat surgeries.?
DRUG POLICY INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/cocaine/

I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher




INFORMATION SOURCES

DRUGS IN SPORTS
http://www.drugfreesport.com/choices/drugs/street/cocaine.html#E

EMEDICINE
http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic384.htm


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Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

Cocaine

Medical use

Schedule

Scheduling

Legislation

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Request for Answer Clarification by leaping-ga on 18 Jan 2005 12:21 PST

Hi tutuzdad
Sorry for the omission - for the United States.
Thanks,
leaping

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 18 Jan 2005 13:36 PST

Thank you for the tip. I look forward to next time.

tutuzdad-ga

First time using the service. The answer was very complete, the
responder went beyond my expectations, and I appreciate the
information. This will be very helpful in my presentation. I will
certainly use the service again.