Ireland Considers Vaccinating Against Drug Addiction July 28, 2004
News Summary
The Irish government is being asked to consider a radical approach to fighting addiction: vaccinating children against future heroin, cocaine, and nicotine misuse, the Belfast Telegraph reported July 26.The national anti-drug immunization program is one of several recommendations issued by the Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs project, a committee of scientists appointed by the government earlier this year.
The program would be similar to past nationwide vaccination programs for measles, mumps, and rubella.
"People could be vaccinated against drugs at birth as you are against measles. You could say cocaine is more dangerous than measles, for example. It is important that there is a debate on this issue. This is a huge topic -- addiction and smoking are major causes of premature death," said committee member David Nutt, a leading government drugs adviser.
Drug vaccinations are currently in development by pharmaceutical companies and could be on the market within two years.
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