Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health,americast.usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Mon, Sep 28 1992 Date: Mon, 28 Sep 92 04:52:55 EDT Message-ID: 09-28 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update Sept. 28, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network NEW DRUG `CAT' VERY ADDICTIVE: It began last year as a chemical experiment by college students to duplicate the modest high of a chewable narcotic leaf known as khat. But what emerged from their makeshift labs is a powdered drug so potent it dwarfs crack cocaine and heroin in its addictive punch, authorities say. The new drug is known as "cat." (For more, see special Cat package below.) KIDS LACK FOUNDATION: Millions of young children aren't being emotionally prepared for school or life, and the whole nation is suffering as a result, says a report from the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs. The report says many kids lack traits such as curiosity, persistence, confidence and cooperation. Kids growing up in poverty are especially at risk. DEVELOPMENT COULD BE LOST: "Cognitive development doesn't last," says pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, a board member of the 15-year-old private, non-profit group. A new Head Start report recommends the following for kids: Universal health care coverage, plus expansion of current prevention-oriented health programs; and job-protected parental leave for at least six months. CANCER RISK IS RECALCULATED: An American woman's risk of getting breast cancer has been reassessed to 1 in 8, based on new calculations by the National Cancer Institute. Last year, the institute calculated that 1 in 9 women would get the cancer should they live to be 85. The NCI is now taking into account the risk of cancer in women over age 85 and more documentation of breast cancer cases. CIGARETTE MAKER EXPOSED: Cigarette manufacturer Liggett Group Inc. developed a cigarette more than 20 years ago that posed far less risk of causing cancerous tumors in test animals, then refused to market it, theNews & Record of Greensboro, N.C., reported Sunday. Reason cited: The firm was concerned that everybody would suing it because it would be admitting it had been making a hazardous cigarette. COOKING FOR ONE MADE EASIER: Living alone can sometimes make people lose their appetite and leave them with no interest in cooking. Ultimately, people can lose good nutrition as well. The Mayo Clinic Health Letter suggests the following ideas: Shop wisely by buying small or individual servings; and satisfy the senses by using flavoring and sweeteners such as packaged herb blends, honey and bacon bits. BICYCLE HELMETS ARE A MUST: Medical research has found that 88% of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a bicycle helmet. And according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, about 1,000 bicycle riders are killed in the U.S. every year; 75% of them die of head injuries. A child can suffer permanent personality changes and learning disabilities from a brain injury. OREGON PUSHES FOR HEALTH REFORM: Health care reform supporters have begun a campaign to put the Health Care Initiative on Oregon's 1994 ballot. The number of signatures needed will be based on how many vote in the Nov. 3 election. The measure would benefit the state's 450,000 uninsured residents, backers say. MANY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE: The 21st century will bring a cancer cure. That's what 80% of 800 adults polled by Time magazine say. Seventy-five percent believe an AIDS cure will be found; and 53% believe in second coming of Christ in the next century. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON CAT: HIGH LASTS SIX DAYS: Narcotics agents with the Detroit police and the Wayne County (Mich.) Sheriff's Department have been put on alert for Methcathinone - or "cat," as it was dubbed by the students who created it. The synthetic stimulant, recently placed on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's emergency list of controlled substances, can generate a high that lasts up to six days, agents say. DEALERS PRODUCE IT HERE: Cat marks the latest salvo from a new generation of drug dealers who are avoiding the risk of smuggling narcotics by producing their own. In addition to cat, college and street-level chemists have also recently introduced a synthetic version of heroin, police say. "There seems to be a lot of young, bright chemists who are getting into the business," said Wayne County Sheriff Robert Ficano. DRANO USED IN MIX: Ficano says "there's a 99% chance you'd do it again, and again, until you're hooked. It's about as powerful as you can get." A volatile elixir of pharmaceuticals and household cleansers, cat usually contains small doses of Drano or battery acid, which acts as a catalyst. The drug reportedly produces a "stimulant" high, creating feelings of exhilaration, heightened awareness. KHAT LEAF SOLD IN USA: Cat sells for about $100 a gram, and is typically inhaled, though some users melt and inject it. Cat's creators were trying to clone a relatively mild narcotic. The khat leaf, used for centuries in the Mideast, has been sold over the counter in some Detroit stores because it has gotten by U.S. Customs officials who don't realize it is a controlled substance. (End of package.) Health Editor: Michele Coleman. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM