Drugs Link To Parkinsons Disease
A new study by Canada’s largest mental health and addiction hospital has found a link between drug use and Parkinson’s disease.
People who abuse methamphetamines and methamphetamine-like stimulants were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who did not.
The study examined almost 300,000 hospital records from California covering 16 years.
Patients admitted for methamphetamine use disorders had a 76 per cent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Globally, methamphetamines are the second most commonly used illicit drug.
Methamphetamine damages dopamine producing areas of the brain.
There are few studies examining the long term association between methamphetamine use and the development of a major brain disorder.
(Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, release, 26 July 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This study showing the link between illicit drug use and brain damage is the latest medical research that shows illicit drug use is dangerous.
Australia has a large methamphetamine using population and so we can expect an increase in Parkinson’s and other brain damage disorders.
With cannabis being the commonly used drug in Australia the medical studies have now confirmed brain damage and schizophrenia.
Identified illicit drug users should be directed into court supervised drug rehabilitation that has as its specific objective of getting users off drugs quickly and permanently.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
27/2011
