Pubdate: Mon, 11 Mar 2002
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2002 The Dominion
Contact:  http://www.dominion.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/128
Author: Marianne Betts
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

FIVE TODDLERS POISONED BY CANNABIS

Five toddlers have been admitted to Wellington Hospital with cannabis 
poisoning in the past six years, prompting a warning for parents to lock 
away all hazardous substances.

Wellington School of Medicine senior paediatrics lecturer Thorsten Stanley 
said though it was not the most prevalent form of poisoning, he was 
concerned that it did occur.

Wellington was one of five North Island Hospitals to participate in a study 
by Wanganui doctor John Goldsmith that showed that 33 children aged under 
2-1/2 had been admitted with cannabis poisoning. Dr Goldsmith feared this 
number was just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr Stanley said far more than five toddlers could have been admitted to 
Wellington Hospital with cannabis poisoning, but many patients would not 
have been tested for cannabis.

He said two of the children - aged between 8 months and 2 years - had been 
admitted to the intensive care unit. There had been no deaths - it would be 
rare for someone to die from a cannabis overdose.

"Often the child comes in very drowsy or unconscious, and parents may 
realise what has caused it, but won't let on because the substance is 
illegal, other times parents don't realise what their child has eaten," he 
said.

It was important for parents to lock away hazardous substances that young 
children could put in their mouths, he said.

Hutt Hospital emergency department head Don Mackie said there were no 
records of toddlers being admitted with cannabis poisoning, but a 
10-year-old was brought in last week.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager