The Nation - News from Sept. 19, 1985

A series of drug abuse studies released by the government indicate more than one of every four young adults has at least tried cocaine, which has emerged as a major public health threat, said Dr. Donald Ian MacDonald, head of the federal Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration. The doctor said cocaine “is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs known.” MacDonald said that “emergency room admissions associated with cocaine use tripled between 1981 and 1984. The number of deaths associated with cocaine also tripled.”