Historique
Chapitre
America's first cocaine epidemic
Auteur(s) :
MUSTO, D. F.
Année
2010
Page(s) :
235-239
Langue(s) :
Anglais
ISBN :
978-0-19-973929-5
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Note générale :
Reprinted from D.F. Musto, "America's first cocaine epidemic." In: The Wilson Quarterly, Summer 1989, p. 59-64.
Résumé :
Widespread public perception would suggest that cocaine emerged initially as a drug of choice in the 1980s. In this essay, this myth is dispelled with a description of the drug's popularity beginning in the I ate 1800s. Using several illustrations, the author discusses the three phases of this first cocaine epidemic. He describes the four-decade process in which cocaine initially was readily available and endorsed by the medical community but then was prohibited.
Only a decade ago, many prominent Americans tolerated and even touted the use of cocaine. From Capitol Hill to Wall Street, the young and moneyed set made the drug its favorite "leisure pharmaceutical." Some talked of decriminalizing the "harmless" white powder. But that changed after cocaine overdoses killed several celebrities-including Hollywood's John Belushi in 1982 and college basketball star Len Bias in 1986.AIthough it is difficult to ascertain the number of cocaine-related deaths that occur annually, we do know that the drug has been implicated in hundreds, if not thousands of fatalities in the United States. Crack, a cheap form of cocaine, has devastated some communities and has been linked to various physical and mental health ailments. Lawmakers clamor for a war on drugs but despair of finding a way to win it. All this has a familiar ring to it, says Yale's David Musto. Here he recalls what happened a century before, when America entered its first cocaine craze.
Only a decade ago, many prominent Americans tolerated and even touted the use of cocaine. From Capitol Hill to Wall Street, the young and moneyed set made the drug its favorite "leisure pharmaceutical." Some talked of decriminalizing the "harmless" white powder. But that changed after cocaine overdoses killed several celebrities-including Hollywood's John Belushi in 1982 and college basketball star Len Bias in 1986.AIthough it is difficult to ascertain the number of cocaine-related deaths that occur annually, we do know that the drug has been implicated in hundreds, if not thousands of fatalities in the United States. Crack, a cheap form of cocaine, has devastated some communities and has been linked to various physical and mental health ailments. Lawmakers clamor for a war on drugs but despair of finding a way to win it. All this has a familiar ring to it, says Yale's David Musto. Here he recalls what happened a century before, when America entered its first cocaine craze.
Cote :
L00464-C