The New York Times reported today that a cocaine vaccine is now available that prevents addicts from getting high. However, researchers state that the vaccine does not prevent addicts from craving the narcotic.

Researchers also report that despite the limited success of the vaccine, cocaine abusers who used the vaccine in the trial reduced their use of the drug by nearly half.

''This is the first study that has ever been done with an illicit drug to show that a vaccine can be effective in humans,'' said Dr. Thomas R. Kosten, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and principal investigator of the study, published in Tuesday's Archives of General Psychiatry. An earlier, separate pilot study found similar results." (All reported in the New York Times).

Spending money on vaccines for illicit drugs might seem like a waste of resources, especially since drugs could be compared to elective procedures; why spend the money on helping addicts? For the same reason we help those with obesity; both drain society of resources so preventing the spread of both is key to a healthier society.

To read the full article, click here: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06EFDB1E39F935A35753C1A96F9C8B63&scp=4&sq=October+6+2009&st=nyt