Cocaine: friend or foe? (Part 2)

The cocaine epidemic is growing at an alarming rate in the United States. Medical and social implications of cocaine abuse are many and include such aspects as intoxication, personal, financial and moral ruin. Complications associated with cocaine use more commonly involve the cardiovascular, central nervous system and the reproductive systems. One of the major concerns regarding cocaine abuse goes far beyond its ill effects on the user. High incidence of congenital malformations and the learning and behavioral disorders in the infants results in a growing number of "misfit" or "undesirable" citizens in the country. Hence, the healthcare providers, the politicians and the legal system must intensely direct their efforts at eradicating this menace.