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