HUMAN LAB RATS? COCAINE USE STUDIED

Are they human lab rats or subjects in important medical
research?

McGill University Prof. Marco Leyton and his fellow researchers at the
University's Dept. of Psychiatry researchers are conducting a study on
the role of brain chemicals in cocaine use.

But Langley-Abbotsford Alliance MP Randy White questions the
scientific merits of the study, saying he can't believe the ethics
board of McGill was willing to approve the experiments, which he says
pays the subjects $500 to participate.

The McGill researchers sought men men, age 18-40, who have used
cocaine during the past year.

The study involves four 24-hour hospital stays, an interview, the
ingestion of protein drinks, and the administration of cocaine.
Participants will be compensated for their time.

"I haven't seen Mr. White's press release, and so I cannot comment in
detail," Leyton told the Abbotsford News this week.

"What I have seen are some quotes from Mr. White. These quotes
indicate his strong support for offering treatment to people addicted
to cocaine, and I applaud this completely.

"The issue for me as a medical scientist, though, is that there are no
treatments. We simply do not have medications that are effective. It
is my hope that the research we are doing here will teach us us how to
decrease cocaine craving and high.

"If we can do that, we might be able to use that information to
develop effective medicines," said Leyton.

Said White: "Addicts in this country need funds for medium and long term
treatment facilities, for rehabilitation program and
centres. That is where the money should be spent."

White said Health Canada gave Customs clearance to allow the cocaine
to be sent from Scotland to Montreal.

"If the federal government has so much additional money to throw
around, why not pay $500 to each drug addict who is willing to come in
from the streets to necessary treatment?," asked the MP.