Legal Speed
I believe that products containing ephedrine should be taken off the market and reevaluated by the FDA. Ephedrine is an herbal extract that acts as a stimulant. It has a molecular structure similar to amphetamine. In all parts of the country over-the-counter products are available that contain ephedrine. In some areas of the country "underground" drug labs take the legal ephedrine containing products and concentrate the ephedrine to be sold on the black market as a form of speed. Young people are getting addicted to ephedrine whether in the over-the-counter form or the black market version.
Addiction to products containing ephedrine continues to rise. The legal
over-the-counter versions are bronchial dilators for asthmatics and diet
pills. Both of these products can be abused and taken in larger than recommended
dosages to achieve a speed-like "rush". The FDA does not currently regulate
ephedrine because it is a dietary supplement protected under the Dietary
Supplement Health
and Education Act of 1994. Since ephedrine is an ephedra derivative,
which comes from plants, any drugs made with ephedra are not controlled
or tracked. This allows companies who manufacture products made with ephedrine
to sell directly to "underground" drug labs that modify the product and
concentrate the ephedrine content. These labs put their product on the
street as technically legal speed.
One street version of this drug is known as CAT, and this version was very commonly abused among teenagers in specific areas of Michigan. The Drug Enforcement Agency was powerless to do anything about this since the drug was legal and untracked through its production channels. The DEA is petitioning congress to modify one specific drug act to enable the DEA to keep records of who is producing and distributing this drug. This will aid in the DEA making this drug harder to put out on the black market.
The possible side effects that can occur from either abuse or long term use of this chemical are many and dangerous. These include: the lowering of the body's production of adrenaline, nervousness, nausea, disorientation, numbness, hyperactivity, diarrhea, dizziness, anxiety, chest pains, breathing difficulty, headaches, seizures, stroke, paranoid psychosis, depression, convulsions, fever, vomiting, hypertension, respiratory depression, low blood sugar, constantly elevated blood pressure, constantly elevated heart rate, heart palpitations/arrhythmia, heart attack, coma, and death. The first possible side effect, the lowering of the body's production of adrenaline, might seem insignificant. However, if someone who is on ephedrine suffers a significant shock (physical or emotional) the body will attempt to utilize its "fight or flight" mechanism. Since their body has used up all of their blood sugar and their body is not producing any more adrenaline the person could have a heart attack. Also, the reason I say addicts and long term users can both suffer these side effects is: even if someone is taking the chemical using the recommended dosage, the heart is still sped up and adrenaline production still decreases. The incredibly long list of effects was compiled from Mr. John Fry (described in the next paragraph) and two sources off of the Internet.
Mr. John Fry, who has taught at Harvard, is a retired psychoanalyst with some medical training. When I mentioned to Mr. Fry that I was using an ephedrine-containing tablet as an appetite suppressant/metabolic enhancer, he strongly disapproved. He expressed serious reservations as to the use of any ephedrine product for anything but as a strictly controlled asthma medication. Mr. Fry also knows my friend who gave me the ephedrine capsules, and Mr. Fry believes that my friend is addicted to them. My friend's hands shake constantly, he is always talking or moving in some way, and he is always depressed. Mr. Fry believes that all these symptoms are a direct result of an addiction to ephedrine.
For all these reasons, I believe that the FDA should remove ephedrine-containing products from the shelves even if only temporarily for reevaluation. I believe the FDA should do a re-evaluation of how products containing ephedra derivatives are controlled. I believe more people need to be made aware of the dangers of this chemical, as most people I have talked to have never heard of it.
People against my proposal would argue that this drug is not widely abused or that it is not addictive. I believe both of these statements to be false. Ephedrine addiction is real, it is not isolated it is nationwide. I have a friend who is addicted to it, although he would never admit to it, and the DEA is trying more and more to control it.
Another argument against me is that people will always find something-- some plant, some chemical, some drink- to abuse, so why does this chemical need attention? I have to agree that abusers and people who get addicted to various chemicals will always find a way to get their fix or kicks. I am not proposing banning of all ephedra products; I would just like the DEA and the FDA to shed a little light on this chemical. If we banned it, it would only come out on the black market anyway. I am just proposing a few tighter controls, possibly labeling the side effects on the bottle, and maybe a little media coverage to get the word out about this drug.
In summary I will say that I know ephedrine drugs are here, they are
legal, and they are addictive and dangerous. There have been sixteen deaths
associated with the use of ephedrine-containing supplements. I think the
FDA and the DEA need to invest more time and effort into public awareness
and control of this drug. This is not the main killer of teens, dieters,
or any other categorical group, but this unknown drug addicts and kills
seemingly without anyone's knowledge of its deadlier side.
Works Cited
Q. Dave. "Ephedra and MS." Ephedra, Energy. http://www.2cowherd.net/g/ephedra.htm
2 October 1998
Fry, John. Personal interview. 30 September 1998
"Ephedrine supplements may be deadly." Modern Medicine The "FYI" Pages.
http: //modernmedicine.com/modern/fyi94 .htm (11 October 1998)
"The Ephedra Injury Page." http: //ephedrainjury.com/ (11 October 1998)
"FDA Warns of Danger." Ephedrine, Ma huang, Ephedra. http://civilrights.com/ephedra.html (11 October 1998)