Bad cocaine lands Italians in hospitals

[Raz]

Bad cocaine lands Italians in hospitals

BERGAMO, Italy, July 28 (UPI) -- Doctors in northern Italy warned of a poisonous batch of cocaine after 16 people were hospitalized within a day of each other.

The 16 ingested cocaine laced with atropine, a poisonous alkaloid that can lead to convulsions, unconsciousness and death, ANSA reported. The 16 victims, ages 20 to 40, were reported to be out of danger. They all live in Seriate, near Bergamo.

The Italian government recently reported a sharp rise in the use of cocaine, with Interior Minister Giulio Amato calling demand for the drug "gigantic." In Europe, cocaine consumption is believed to be higher only in Britain and Spain. Government figures from 2005 show 7 percent of Italians between the ages of 14 and 54 admitted to trying cocaine at least once, suggesting an 80 percent rise in cocaine use between 1995 and 2005.

Cocaine was found floating in the air of Rome in May, said a government pollution report.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_New...ospitals/2301/

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There can't be a year in Europe without atropine ? :S

[Alicia]

atropine. sounds nasty. not to mention that in-combination with the heart pumping sensation with cocaine. poor people. nasty combination

[lulz]

Originally Posted by Nav

The Italian government recently reported a sharp rise in the use of cocaine, with Interior Minister Giulio Amato calling demand for the drug "gigantic."

Well if anyone would know about the demand for cocaine, it would be the Italian government.

A television programme that purports to show widespread drug use among Italy's MPs was scrapped before transmission last night amid uproar over both the results and the methods used to entrap the politicians.

In a classic sting operation some 50 politicians were fooled into thinking they were being interviewed about aspects of next year's draft budget, currently before parliament. Instead, a make-up artist with a satirical TV show swabbed their eyebrows to get a sample of their perspiration, which was then tested for traces of cannabis and cocaine. Twelve allegedly tested positive for cannabis and four for cocaine, all apparently taken in the 36 hours before being approached.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/stor...892336,00.html