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- $Unique_ID{BRK02400}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Are Designer Drugs?}
- $Subject{designer drugs chemicals narcotic high addiction overdose ecstasy
- amphetamine china white synthetic heroin pcp angel dust crack free based
- cocaine psychotic pharmaceutical pharmaceuticals behavior behaviors lifestyle
- lifestyles designed drug chemical narcotics addictions overdoses amphetamines}
- $Volume{R-23}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1992,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What Are Designer Drugs?
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- QUESTION: Designer jeans? Yes! Designer clothes? Perhaps. Designer
- jewelry? Well, maybe. But designer drugs? Just what are they, and how are
- they made? I was involved in a conversation about these chemicals, and know
- nothing about them, but now suspect I should. Are you a good source of
- information about these substances and would you please answer this question
- in a column really soon?
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- ANSWER: Take a legally manufactured, federally controlled drug or "narcotic"
- if you will, change it chemically into something that provides a "high"
- without regard to any other consideration, and you have a "designer drug".
- They are untested, illegal chemicals produced in black market laboratories.
- Because their effects are relatively unknown, they have become a major cause
- of addiction and overdose deaths in the United States. Since their formulas
- may be frequently changed, they are difficult for emergency room physicians to
- deal with when a comatose patient is brought in. Some designer drugs that
- made the "hit" parade included Ecstasy, known as the "love drug", produced
- from an amphetamine like drug; "China White," a synthetic heroin; and the
- infamous PCP or "angel dust" which was derived from a veterinary anesthetic.
- The latest is crack, which is a free based cocaine that prompts psychotic
- behavior in its users.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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