Sask. scientists test way to reduce lure of addictive drugs - CBC News

[applegrove]

Sask. scientists test way to reduce lure of addictive drugs
Last Updated Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:33:23 EST
CBC News

"Researchers in Saskatchewan have discovered a way to block a pathway in the brain's pleasure receptors that are involved in drug addiction.

The team hopes the findings will lead to a universal therapy that works regardless of what drug an addict abuses.

Many drugs of abuse exert their rewarding effects on the brain's ventral tegmental area.
So far, Canadian scientists have found a peptide that appears to block a signalling pathway in the brain's ventral tegmental area, an area stimulated by drug abuse.

Psychiatry Prof. Xia Zhang of the University of Saskatchewan and his team gave nicotine and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, to laboratory rats.

.... SNIP"

http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/02/13/addiction-block060213.html

[applegrove]

1. COOL! n/t

[tridim]

2. Something tells me that turning off the pleasure center completely

is a really bad idea. Watch BushCo attempt make the drug mandatory for any drug offense.

[Warpy]

3. Naloxone (Narcan) does the same thing

but is too short acting to be practical. If they develop a patch, addicted people who are very motivated to get and stay clean may find it useful.

However, motivation is the key. Some people want to keep using. Personally, I think we should stop being their judges and nannies and simply let them while putting the billions we pour down the drug war rathole into better understanding addiction and developing treatments that work.

All the "Just say no!" campaigns in the world won't do anything, nor will a drug cop on every corner.