>
> Dear Jason,
>
> Although it is true that substance abuse can be one of the causes
> of PD and that maybe some of the reason that we are seeing more
> middle aged people on the list I am offended to think that this is a
> major cause. As a middle aged PD person I did not do drugs in the
> 60's and am offended to be linked to an assumption of that kind. I
> tend more to believe more that the medical field is becoming far
> better at identifing problems sooner and therefore people with a
> disease are being identified at earlier stages in their life rather
> than latter.
>
> Thank you for letting me voice my opinion on those who would tend
> to lump things together and not consider sometimes that the options
> of other events and situations could also be a factor.
>
> Dar Newman
Dear Dar,
I'm truly sorry that you have been offended. My husband has YOP (he is
56
and has had Parkinsons since he was 38), and never did drugs. He is a
Physical Chemist.
However, as a nurse, I get really YOP who have done drugs, and I have
often wondered what the frequency of recreational drug use is to
the oneset of Parkinsons.
It's one of those taboo subjects that no one want to discuss.
But, for the benefit of the young who are increasingly finding drug use
attractive, perhaps it needs to be examined.
-----
Mary Ann Ryan
