UPTICK IN COCAINE DEATHS FOUND

After a Period of Decline, Cocaine Is Back.

University of Florida researchers said Tuesday that a rise in
cocaine-related deaths in wealthy communities and college towns in
Florida - including Gainesville - could mean a recurring epidemic of abuse.

New data from UF and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows
that the number of cocaine deaths per 100,000 people in the state
has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 150 in 2000 to
nearly 300 in 2005. The steepest per capita rise in death rates
was in college towns like Gainesville and Tallahassee and wealthy,
upper-class seaside communities, such as Melbourne, West Palm Beach
and the Florida Keys, according to the data.

In the 8th Judicial Circuit, which includes Alachua, Baker,
Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties, medical examiners
reported that cocaine-related deaths jumped from 17 in 2000 to 48 in 2005.

What's happening in Florida isn't an isolated phenomenon, said Dr.
Mark Gold, a professor with the UF's College of Medicine. Gold said
Tuesday that the data shows that the country is in the "early stages
of a new cocaine epidemic."

"With death reports, there is no fudge factor," Gold said. "(The
epidemic) is being led by the rich and famous and students with
large amounts of disposable income and that is responsible for more
emergency room visits and more cocaine-related deaths than we have
seen at any time since the last cocaine epidemic (in the 1980s)."

Cocaine, which is derived from coca leaves in South America, is a
strong central nervous system stimulant that is highly addictive,
Gold said. The drug constricts blood vessels and increases
temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Cocaine can be smoked,
snorted or injected in various forms.

For law enforcement, fighting cocaine use and distribution has been
an ongoing struggle.

Lt. Bart Knowles, commander of the Narcotics Unit at the Gainesville
Police Department, said cocaine is one of the most abused, illicit
drugs available.

"It affects everyone, every race, every socioeconomic group and
every gender," Knowles said.

"In a college town like Gainesville where there's a lot of students,
there's a significant demand that's always in need of a supply. (For
law enforcement), it's overwhelming sometimes because so many people
are using drugs," Knowles said.

Researchers believe the resurgence in popularity of the drug is due,
in part, to its highly publicized use among celebrities in the media
such as runway models, actors and athletes, Gold said.

"We have a celebrity-centric culture and people look to celebrities
for just about everything," Gold said. "Cocaine and drug use is just
another aspect of celebritydom and (average) people see that there
are few consequences for them."

But for most people, there are consequences - especially when it
comes to the law, Knowles said.

"We'll eventually catch up with you," Knowles said of cocaine and drug users.

"But stop for yourself and your family, not because you're afraid of
the law," Knowles said.