Pubdate: Mon, 09 Apr 2007 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Jim Gibson, Compiler Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) SNORTING COKE CAN LEAD TO STROKE Increasing rates of amphetamine and cocaine use by young adults significantly boost their risk of stroke, say researchers at University of Texas in the Archives of General Psychiatry. An analysis of risk factors and trends among 8,000 younger stroke victims points to an increase in substance abuse as a major danger, particularly in the abuse of illegally produced methamphetamines. Those who abuse amphetamines are five times more likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into brain tissue) than non-abusers. If cocaine is abused, the person's likelihood of having either a hemorrhagic or an ischemic stroke (abrupt artery blockage) more than doubles. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman