did they really think cocaine was harmless??

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by markolas

I agree that it was probably willful ignorance. I can't imagine them not knowing it was harmful, especially in the quantities they were using.

Sort of off-topic, but wasn't cocaine used medicinally at one time? I see pictures of those cute little porcelain cocaine jars from the 19th century - like it was part of a canister set or something (flour, sugar, coffee, tea, cocaine). Then of course, there was laudanum.

forget cocaine. Heroin was used medically in the 19th century.

And as a response to the original question, I'd say yes they thought it was harmless and really, were they wrong? I'm not condoning cocaine, and i've never done it but in the end, it really isn't even considered that much of a hardcore drug. maybe a small step over pot. How many cocaine overdoses have their been throughout history? if there were, more then likely it was cocaine plus something else. sure it burned a hole in stevie's nose but really it's just really strong powdered red bull.