Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n1990.a09.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG OVERDOSES MERIT ATTENTION

The fact that three young people in a small community like Lake Country 
have ended up in hospital from ingesting datura is certainly cause for alarm.

And it was the right call for Lake Country RCMP to alert the public to the 
danger of ingesting the seeds.

Some might say that publicizing the use of the legal substance is risking 
glamourizing it for some young minds, or worse, introducing the idea for 
others.

However, it's a community safety issue that youth and parents alike need to 
know more about.

Police say deaths have resulted from ingesting the seeds in the past, and 
increased usage among local young people increases the odds of just such a 
tragic consequence.

Apparently ingesting the seeds from the jimson weed plant can lead to 
hallucinations and confusion resulting in people becoming vulnerable to 
drowning or exposure.

Parents need to sit down and have a frank and open discussion on the 
possible consequences of ingesting datura with their teenagers.

The police have sounded the alarm, it is now up to the community to follow 
through with the appropriate safety drill.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl