In Summary
- The Vaccine called Calixcoca has shown promising results in animal trials
- It’s due to enter human trials with more than 3000 people offering to take part
Scientists on Brazil , one of the world largest consumer of Cocaine are developing a vaccine for addiction to the drug .
Calixcoca Vaccines
The vaccine works by triggering an immune response that prevents cocaine and crack from reaching the brain meaning users will no longer get high from the drug which may help break the addiction cycle
The experimental shot has shown promising results in animal trials and will soon enter the final stage which is testing on human.
READ Also:Children Abusing, Addicted to Drugs in Kibra slums -VIDEO
How the Vaccine Works
The vaccine works by triggering an immune response that prevents cocaine and crack from reaching the brain, meaning users would no longer get high from the drug, which may help break the addiction cycle.
READ Also: Kenyans Narrate How They Have Been Drugged in Nairobi CBD by Shosho’s
Use Of Cocaine
Some individuals rub the drug onto their gums or dissolve it in water and inject it, where it reaches the bloodstream quickly and makes the drug’s effects more intense.
What next
If the vaccine attains regulatory approval, it would be the first time cocaine addiction has been treated using a vaccine.
There is currently no registered treatment for cocaine and crack addiction, Dr Garcia said, and an addict’s only option is a combination of ‘psychological counseling, social assistance and rehabilitation.
Future of the vaccine
If approved, the vaccine will not be available to everyone, but will go to recovering addicts who have stopped taking cocaine and want to stay off the drug.
Drug use In Kenya
The county has also been on a path to address drug and substance use in Kenya .
Latest reports by Nacada has shown shocking statistics on the minimal age of initiation to drugs .
Alcohol, Miraa tobacco products have been mentioned as the most abused substances in learning institution.
