Media Advisory

DEA Museum Lecture Series: Cocaine Update

WASHINGTON – Cocaine availability and use have increased significantly in recent years, due in part to record increases in coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia, the primary source for the cocaine market in the United States. As part of its ongoing lecture series, the DEA Museum is hosting a briefing by four esteemed researchers to provide important information and updates on this re-emerging issue.

What: A New Look at Old and Not So Old Drugs: A 2018 Update on Cocaine

Who: Mark S. Gold, MD, Moderator

Dr. Gold is a world renowned expert on addiction-related diseases and has worked for over 40 years to develop models for understanding the effects of tobacco, cocaine, and other drugs, as well as food, on the brain and behavior. Today, Dr. Gold serves as Chairman of RiverMend Health’s Scientific Advisory Boards.

Mark S. Gold, MD, “CDC and Coroners’ death Records for Cocaine”

Dr. Gold will also present remarks prepared by Dr. Bruce Goldberger, Chief of Forensic Medicine and Professor of Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Florida

Leah Bloomenstein, “Current Intelligence on Cocaine”

Ms. Bloomenstein is an Intelligence Research Specialist, Domestic Strategic Intelligence Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration

Jean Lud Cadet, MD, “Cocaine Changes the Brain and Damages It”

Dr. Cadet is a Senior Investigator and Chief, Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, NIDA Intramural Research Program

Dr. Cadet’s research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of psychostimulant addiction and toxicity.

Tom Kosten, MD, “Treatment for Cocaine OD or Addictions?”

Waggoner Chair and Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Immunology & Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Kosten has and is currently leading the efforts to develop vaccines and new medication in cocaine and other addictions.

Where: DEA Headquarters Auditorium, 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. (Pentagon City

Metro stop)

When: Wednesday, February 21, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

This event is open to the public. Please arrive no later than 12:45 p.m. to allow for security processing. For more information, please contact the DEA Museum at 202-307-3463.

All interested media should RSVP to DEA National Media Affairs: 202-307-7977

The event will also be webcast live at www.deamuseum.org.