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Chiang CN, Hawks RL. 
“Research Findings on Smoking of Abused Substances”. 
NIDA Research Monographs. 1990;99.
Abstract
For centuries, smoking has been a popular route for the self-administration of recreational drugs such as tobacco, marijuana, and opium. Recently, smoking has also gained popularity for the use of phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, and methamphetamine. It is likely that smoking as a route of administration is being more frequently chosen by drug abusers as a “safer” route because of the dangers of intravenous (IV) transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. This route of administration is a major contributing factor to the current epidemic of cocaine and methamphetamine abuse. The toxicity resulting from this route of administration is complex. Not only the drug itself but also the resulting degradation products contribute to the pharmacological and toxicological effects. In addition, there are unique pharmacokinetic and behavioral characteristics associated with smoking as a route of administration. To understand the particular toxicity associated with smoking, it is necessary to integrate research findings in several areas. These include chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and behavioral and clinical observations. A technical review concerning research finding on smoking of abused substances was held by the National Institute on Drug Abuse on November 10, 1988.
Notes # : cannabis tobacco cocaine respiratory health smoking
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