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**Chris** · 24-03-2004, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

Err, I suggest you do a little research into the drugs that are *already* used for medicinal purposes!

For example:

Morphine is an opiate (derived from the same source as heroin)

http://www.bartleby.com/59/22/morphine.html

Novacaine is chemically very similar to cocaine (but less toxic)

http://www.fas.org/news/reference/probert/E2.HTM

Less toxic is the key here. You take a dangerous, impure drug and you do research to discover what parts of it are useful and what parts of it are not. Then you produce a refined version and, critically, you administer it under proper medical supervision. For example, research that is now going on with cannabis is attempting to isolate those parts of the overall product that have potential medical benefit from those that might cause you psychological damage.

This is all a world away from suggesting it is a good idea to allow people to administer themselves raw drugs for 'medicinal purposes'. Morphine is not heroin; novocaine is not cocaine.