Cocaine Vaccine In the Works 724
martyros writes "Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine are performing clinical trials of a vaccine that teaches the immune system to attack cocaine, preventing it from giving a high. The vaccine is made by attaching inactivated cocaine molecules to the outside of inactivated cholera proteins. When the immune system attacks the cholera proteins, it also 'learns' the cocaine molecules as well. The result is that the immune system 'recognizes the potent naked drug when it's ingested. The antibodies bind to the cocaine and prevent it from reaching the brain, where it normally would generate the highs that are so addictive.'" An earlier story from The Star notes that human trials for vaccines against both cocaine and nicotine are well under way.
Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Or your employees? Or your signed artists?
Yay! (Score:2, Insightful)
Gibson called it... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Yay! (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
I doubt it would matter much. There's a lot of evidence that drug abusers will simply switch drugs when their drug of choice becomes unavailable.
It's a real comfort to know that meth, oxy and alcohol abuse will still be available to our children after we save them from the scourge of cocaine.
Same tech might be used by terrorists (Score:1, Insightful)
If it disabled "comfort" drugs like pain medications, it would be annoying and economically costly. If it deactivated drugs essential for life, such as drugs to treat high blood pressure or treat fatal illnesses, the consequences could be far worse.
I don't expect this any time soon but it could happen this century.
Not that sure about it. (Score:4, Insightful)
From what I understand about drug addiction and attempts to kick the habit, you won't just "lose interest", you'll be going through living hell for quite a while - your body is looking for something you're not giving it, it's going to be pretty mad at you. This is why people relapse - they remember the shiny happy times, ignore that bad bits about those times and it all looks so much better than what they're in at the moment, so they go back to their drug.
If you use this vaccine, then that becomes impossible, you burn that bridge. But that doesn't remove the desire to be back on drugs, it just removes your favourite one from the list of possibilities. There's still plenty of others around and I think it's pretty safe to say that people who were going to relapse anyway will do so with or without the vaccine - the only thing that will change is the drug they'll use. So that'll be a statistic to look for: What percentage of people trying to give up Cocaine on this vaccine will end up on another drug? Compare this to a control group of people not on vaccine ending up going back to cocaine.
I honestly can't see any positive use for this (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm deadly serious.
Used as an involuntary jab to fight the idiotic 'war on drugs' it is a clear violation of civil and cognitive liberty (I'm using that phrase more and more these days, not something I'm happy about). Used as part of a rehab programme, it kills the drug use without addressing the underlying weakness of character that created the addict. They are likely to fuck themselves up in some other way.
There isn't always, and shouldn't always be, a quick fix.
Re:While I do see (Score:0, Insightful)
The way our legal system is working these days, it'll be part of some mandatory sentencing for anybody with any narcotics offense, maybe they'll even amend the constitution to allow them to force this treatment, merely on the suspicion of cocaine use.
It's no more out-there an idea than civil forfeiture was. We must win the "war on drugs" at all costs! And there's no way that society could deal with societies problems, on a personal level. No, big momma government must protect us!
Re:Need a new drug (Score:2, Insightful)
Ever see Brain Candy by kids in the hall? In the movie, a happy pill gets invented and becomes the newest craze. No side effects, and it works by making you relive your happiest experience. Eventually, people get addicted and become happy, brain-dead zombies. Why bother to do anything if you're always happy?
Re:Great, so now they'll just be snorting Adderall (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:The nicotine vaccine is the hard one (Score:3, Insightful)
Just seems wrong to me. Maybe if my kid starts and wants to stop and is having problems but as a preventative measure?
I would have to say no to that.
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Yay! (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:5, Insightful)
Do not over dramatize the issue... (Score:3, Insightful)
Now, I am sure there are many people on this site who (gasp!) smoke marijuanna. And I am sure there are people here who like to cap their weekends here with hookers and blow. And I am sure they also have such many wonderful stories as "I put a half kilo up my nose every week and I am a fully productive member of society". To all of those people, I say the following:
Get a clue.
For one, I highly doubt westernized society would be quick to start to inflict any form of medical procedure on someone who does not wish it. We let plenty of idiots choose not to vaccinate their children against measles and the like. I am sure plenty of nutjobs out there would like to see an anti-cocaine vaccine be made manditory, but I do not think it will happen.
For another, I am also sure there are plenty of people who would like to end their addictions, but find themsleves unable to. I do not think that there are many people out there who would wake up one day and say "Wow, I really wish I was still addicted to cocaine."
I agree, however, that there is danger in this vaccine in that it can also affect a lot of anesthetic's used for medical purposes. That danger should be very carefully looked into.
END COMMUNICATION
Re:Give me the sales pitch. (Score:3, Insightful)
For the price of an eight-ball, you could get enough shrooms for yourself and a few of your friends...much better experience. You have the opportunity to learn things by taking substances like shrooms, weed, salvia, etc. Coke is kinda like having a shot after work. You won't have any life-changing experience, but you'll feel real nice for a little bit.
Just remember. There is a HUGE difference between a drug USER and a drug ABUSER. Be a user, don't be an abuser.
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:4, Insightful)
In that case, it's great. You can argue about parents vaccinating their kids, but it's not clear that the vaccine would last long enough nor be priced right for it to be a routine part of kid therapy. But it could be a huge help for those who want to quit and fear relapse into addiction.*
*-You can argue whether cocaine is highly physically addictive or just slightly physically addictive, but there's no denying that there are plenty of people who are (at least) psychologically addicted to powder or rock.
Re:I honestly can't see any positive use for this (Score:4, Insightful)
What the hell are you talking about? How is the availability of a vaccine a violation of anyone's rights?
Used as part of a rehab programme, it kills the drug use without addressing the underlying weakness of character that created the addict.
Or it could finally get an addicted person clean, after which he/she has no desire to put him/her self back in that state of dependency.
I'm no fan of the "War on Drugs", but there is some really dumb hostility towards this development.
Re:Mods on coke REALLY THIS TIME (Score:4, Insightful)
Sometimes the simple act of injecting is a cry for help. Which can be very frustrating to those standing around watching shit unfold... because everyone feels helpless, and usually it has to do with an ex-significant other who is trying to get attention.
If this vaccine, and vaccines like this are available, then those that are "crying help" will have no other option than to decide to take this vaccine. They asked for the help - well we'll fucking give it to them. And then they can stop threatening to off-themselves through overdose if their ex-significant other does leave themselves. At least they can make the choice to live or die completely sober.
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:3, Insightful)
My biggest concern ... (Score:1, Insightful)
Instead of addressing the symptoms, the world really should have been attacking the problems: working to raise education and the standards of living in countries like Columbia, and helping those countries crack down on the production of the stuff in the first place.
Re:Analogs (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not that sure about it. (Score:2, Insightful)
Dependency is where there the individual becomes acclimated to the drug, such that they need it in ever increasing amount to get the same high, and also experience withdrawal if they do not use it - the "craving". It can be physical or psychological or both. IIRC, cocaine users develop a psychological dependency, not a physical one
Addiction is a psychological state where an activity or substance abuse is habitual, hard to break, has negative impact on yourself and those around you, and affects daily life. It's a mental illness, disease, or spiritual deficiency, depending on who you ask. Often, addiction and dependency coexist, but not necessarily. For instance, one can be addicted to gambling, videogames, or sex, and not have withdrawal symptoms when not doing those activities. Likewise, one can have a chemical dependency without being addicted - anyone who's ever had a headache from giving up caffein is a perfect example of a physical dependence.
The problem is, people have thrown the term "addiction" around willy nilly - how many times have you heard someone say "addicted to Starbucks" or "my chocolate addiction". But I'm pretty much giving up hope on that front - it's like "hacking" and "brick" here on slashdot.
Re:I wouldn't do it. (Score:4, Insightful)
What do you think painkillers are? NOT drugs? Tell me, how is it that cannabis or shrooms (which grow ENTIRELY without human intervention) are considered drugs, and yet you wouldn't consider something manufacturered by a human in a laboratory to be a drug?
Pain killers are drugs. DXM is a drug. Viagra is a drug. Anti-depressents are drugs. Novacaine is a drug. Nicotine is a drug. Alcohol is a drug. Hell, even caffeine is a drug. You can't honestly sit there and be ok with something made in a lab and not call it a drug, but be against something that grows naturally, has less side effects, and call it a drug. That's just insane.
There is one thing you should realize...there is a big difference between a drug USER and a drug ABUSER. Be a user. Don't be an abuser.
Re:Great, so now they'll just be snorting Adderall (Score:1, Insightful)
But, drugs are bad, m'kay. Meet the America that would rather gang violence over someone enjoying marijuana after a long day.
Re:"the pursuit of happiness" (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes, but if you own your own racetrack, you are perfectly free to do so.
>likewise, users of highly addictive substances risk turning themselves into wards of the state that my taxes must feed and clothe
Since this never happens to the vast majority of the users of any drug, why not apply that standard to everything else that has the same probability of making someone into a ward of the state? Like roller skating or skydiving. It's a dumb argument, as just about anything can affect someone else in some convoluted imaginary scenario. Besides, it is far cheaper to treat people who have a problem with drugs than it is to try and keep everyone from doing them at all.
>that you don't understand how pursuing risky pursuits that flirt with drug addiction reduces my freedom is not a valid excuse
That you have an overinflated view of the risks to your freedom is not a valid excuse to keep anyone else from pursuing their happiness. You don't ban cell phones because someone driving a car while talking on one caused an accident, you ban the dangerous act itself. Likewise there is nothing inherently dangerous to others about doing any given drug, but if you misbehave while on one you should be punished. Just like anyone else.
Or D (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
The thing is...if you de-criminalized drugs, you'd pretty much cut out "a", in that prices would drop as would profits currently being gained by criminal organizations. Remember prohibition on alcohol in the US? It prompted the rise of the gangs/mafia. Once it was over, well, I certainly don't see many people doing gangland violence over booze these days. Alcohol is just a drug like the others currently banned. It is a toxin that affects the brain.
If we cut out the crime aspect of drugs, we'd save a TON of money in tax dollars each year supporting DEA, and the overcrowded prison system. We could concentrate a small portion of that money to help programs for addicts. Heck, like liquor...why not tax legal pot sales?
Also, don't forget, it wasn't that long ago that any and ALL drugs were perfectly legal in the US. It was not the horrible effects of them that caused them to be banned either....most of them were banned in order to be able to use that to target ethnic groups in the US. Chinese - opiates, Blacks - Cocaine, Mexicans - Pot.
Frankly, I'm still wondering where in the Constitution it gives the Feds. the right to say what drugs are illegal. At least when they tried to do it for alcohol, they did a constitutional amendment. No such thing has been done for "scheduling" of current chemicals (thanks Nixon).
Re:Possibly useful, but... (Score:1, Insightful)
It could be useful to cocaine addicts?
>_>
No one said it's for children or enforcing parental controls on ingested substances. It's pretty easy for a cokehead to have a moment of sobriety/clarity and decide to straighten out their life.
My brother's done this over 12 times(that's enough rehab money to buy a decent house). Once they take this vaccine they don't have a choice any more of whether or not to get high since it won't work.
This is exactly what they need... They'll get the craving and the stuff simply won't do anything for them and there's no turning back. I think it's awesome. If it really works, anyone that's watched a family member deteriorate and stop mentally growing, because of a cocaine addiction, will rejoice.
That being said, I don't believe it will work. There is no silver bullet for addiction. I predict someone (likely a kingpin) will figure out a way to reverse the vaccine and we'll be back to square one.
-AC
Re:Give me the sales pitch. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Analogs (Score:2, Insightful)
Pot, on the other hand, is not really in that category.
Oppressive governments and religions. (Score:3, Insightful)
Both would prefer no other pleasures exist to compete with their interests, as suggested by George Orwell [wikipedia.org].
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Mods on coke REALLY THIS TIME (Score:3, Insightful)
If this vaccine is permanent, expect to see it eventually being pushed into vaccination cocktails given to kids. Totally avoids the consent issue because the parents give consent, not the child. Whether this is a good idea or not, I couldn't say, but sooner or later someone at the DEA is gonna think of it.
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
Every law, currently enforced or not, is a right taken from the individual and given to the police. This shouldn't be done except in cases of overwhelming necessity. It would be a great day when the laws of the land were few enough to list by memory.
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
What does this mean exactly? You don't believe they exist? You don't believe they work?
Re:Analogs (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't see legal cocaine as causing any more of a health crisis than alcoholism.
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
Test it out yourself.
Give any 14 year old in America $30, tell them to come back with either alcohol or illegal drugs whichever is easier to get.
Guaranteed, they will bring back drugs 99% of the time.
I've seen it in action hundreds of times over. It is much easier for children to get drugs than it is for them to get booze.
I'm not saying it is impossible or even difficult to get booze, but it sure is easier to pick up something that is not regulated than it is to get something that is regulated.
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
That is a HUGE amount of people. The worst thing about that is, when they get out of prison they are in a much worse state than when they went in. Nobody will hire an ex-con. Not for anything other than shit work.
Re:Analogs (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Analogs (Score:3, Insightful)
There are just people out there who don't care, they are extraordinarily selfish abusive people. I am not saying all Drug offenders are this way. I am just posting a note about the way society behaves as a whole.
Re:Do not over dramatize the issue... (Score:3, Insightful)
Right, because in modern, western countries (say 1970s US) we'd never castrate 'mental defectives', pointlessly cut out healthy appendixes and tonsils, or circumcise children based on cultural myths and bogus medicine. Oh, wait - that was legal in the US in 1970, and the second two were quite common.
We let plenty of idiots choose not to vaccinate their children against measles and the like.
That implies that the parents, not the kids, get to choose. Don't parent's count as part of "westernized society" and childern as "someone" in the first sentence I quoted?
I am sure plenty of nutjobs out there would like to see an anti-cocaine vaccine be made manditory, but I do not think it will happen.
You happen to think it won't, so the rest of us shouldn't worry?