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.

[Nathan]

^^^

Cocaine is a dangerous, dangerous substance.
It think that it pretty regularly leads to cardiac arrest, brain anurisms, and insanity, does it not?

I remember a story that Tom Arnold on Larry King. He mentioned staying up for several days, and getting so far out there, that he found himself up against a mirror, trying to remove the thin membrane that covers the eye - with a razor blade.

I can personally speak to the incidious nature of a substance that you absolutely CAN NOT get enough of. I don't know, it's hard to explain, especially if YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT.

[Sorceress]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

I think there really was a lot of ignorance about cocaine back in the height of Fleetwood Mac's fame. For instance, during that era, one of my Aunts got pregnant with her first son (1981). She asked her OB/GYN if she should stop her daily coke habit, if it would harm the baby. He said no, just use in moderation. So if even doctors during this era weren't sold on the harmful effects of coke, then you can certainly see why rock stars wouldn't be, either.

He probably thought she meant Coca-Cola!

[chiliD]

In1916, Douglas Fairbanks Sr starred as Detective Coke Ennyday in The Mystery Of The Leaping Fish. His character got "super powers" from his syringes of cocaine (similar to Popeye and his ubiquitous can of spinach) kept in the inner lining of his overcoat. (as well as big canisters of the powdered variety on his desk)



It's actually a pretty good film...it plays at "midnight movies" quite a bit.

At the time the film was made, cocaine was LEGAL.

[desertangel]

I don't think harmless was the term they used, it's more like that it was not addictive. You could use it, or not and not have any withdrawls if you stopped using it. The big thing back then was heroin... they used to say if you used it once, you'll be hooked for life and end up on skid row. Kind of like modern day meth, except not everyone used heroin like half the country uses meth these days. Anyway, so cocaine was deemed non-addictive and lots of people used it with wreckless abandon, including me. -yea, those were the days.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by desertangel

I don't think harmless was the term they used, it's more like that it was not addictive. You could use it, or not and not have any withdrawls if you stopped using it. The big thing back then was heroin... they used to say if you used it once, you'll be hooked for life and end up on skid row. Kind of like modern day meth, except not everyone used heroin like half the country uses meth these days. Anyway, so cocaine was deemed non-addictive and lots of people used it with wreckless abandon, including me. -yea, those were the days.

For me cocaine was a take it or leave it drug. I was first introduced to it in 1979. I used it occasionally and never purchased any. I always snorted someone else's. This one guy in 1987 gave me all I could handle in one night and I was satisfied enough to never use it again for 12 years. After that it was another few years and I never used it again after that. It never kept me up all night either.
Crystal Meth is a drug that I never wanted to try. I used to live with a tweeker and saw firsthand how destructive the drug was. Plus I always enjoyed getting a good night's sleep. The last thing I wanted was to stay awake for 3 days in a row.

[David]

Originally Posted by desertangel

I don't think harmless was the term they used, it's more like that it was not addictive. You could use it, or not and not have any withdrawls if you stopped using it. The big thing back then was heroin... they used to say if you used it once, you'll be hooked for life and end up on skid row. Kind of like modern day meth, except not everyone used heroin like half the country uses meth these days. Anyway, so cocaine was deemed non-addictive and lots of people used it with wreckless abandon, including me. -yea, those were the days.

I used to drink all the juice out of the little bottles of maraschino cherries. I'd down the whole bottle in a few swigs. I was a rebel and a rogue.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by David

I used to drink all the juice out of the little bottles of maraschino cherries. I'd down the whole bottle in a few swigs. I was a rebel and a rogue.

David, I'll teach you how to party...

[desertangel]

Originally Posted by David

I used to drink all the juice out of the little bottles of maraschino cherries. I'd down the whole bottle in a few swigs. I was a rebel and a rogue.

gaahhh... formaldahyde. Do you look rather young for your age, by any chance?


I'd bet your ma would get p.o.'d at you for that... I did that once or twice and my ma came unhinged. She said the cherries would dry up and be no good.