Halt Ephedrine Abuse Today

My name is Barbara Michal. I am Chair of the Board of Directors of Halt Ephedrine Abuse Today (HEAT), a non-profit national coalition I founded after ephedrine caused the death of my 24 year old son, Kristopher, on March 14, 1997. A newspaper story regarding Kristopher’s death is appended at Tab A. I am writing to provide information in support of the WHO proposed restrictions on ephedrine manufacturing and distributing. THE FACTS ABOUT EPHEDRINE Addiction and Abuse- Anecdotal and Scientific Evidence Since Kristopher’s death, I have been researching this dangerous and addictive drug. Through my work with HEAT, I have been contacted by many ephedrine users and victims. As of February 7, 1999, of 111 contacts I have received, fifty-one percent (51%) report addiction. Please look at that number closely-51%. A summary of the reports and the demographics of those who have contacted me are appended at Tab B. These anecdotal reports show addiction to and abuse of both herbal ephedrine products and chemical ephedrine products. Ephedrine has been identified as a drug of abuse for years. It is listed and discusse