German Scientists Propose Cocaine E-cigs to Curb Abuse

In order to help cocaine addicts curb their addiction, a pair of German researchers have proposed a solution that surely has every nicotine vaping advocate rolling their eyes. The duo has designed a device that allows problematic crack users to administer the drug in a safer manner that, for instance, reduces lung damage and lowers the risk of overdose. It’s essentially a vape for crack.

According to ZME Science, Fabian Steinmetz and Heino Stöver, both members of Schildower Kreis — a network of German experts on drug policy reform — have not proposed drug decriminalization in their most recent study. Instead, writing in the journal Drug Science, Policy and Law, they presented a device that assists in inhaling crack cocaine in a manner that is safer to users.

The design of the device is nothing revolutionary. Like conventional e-cigarettes, it consists of a liquid container, an atomizer with a heater, and a battery. Except that instead of nicotine, you put a solution made of crack cocaine and propylene glycol, which the user inhales as vapor free of the fine particles and toxic combustion products that result from smoking.

“There are some risks that a vape pen for crack could pose, though. It is very likely that crack vape pens, if they are ever manufactured, will end up on the illicit market and could potentially encourage people to start using crack or use more of it if they are already a user,” the story states. “The only way to answer these concerns is to run well-designed randomized trials. For now, a cocaine e-cig seems like a very distant prospect but its harm reduction potential shouldn’t be overlooked.”