3 teens poisoned by jimson weed seeds

[Euphoric]

Common plant used as recreational drug
Oct 09, 2007 04:30 AM
Staff Reporter


Three west Niagara Region teens are in hospital, two in critical condition, after eating seeds from a poisonous plant.


Police say the three males, ages 14 to 17, were found in an incoherent and unresponsive state on Sunday night. They allegedly ingested the seeds of the poisonous jimson weed plant on purpose.


The plant is often used as a recreational drug and can cause hallucinations, delirium and disorientation. Overdosing on jimson weed can cause serious problems, including respiratory failure and death.


Jimson weed poisoning is an ongoing problem for teens every year when it matures in the early fall. The plant is attractive to teens because it's free, legal and easily accessible.


"It's making a comeback," said Sgt. Scott Kraushar of Niagara Regional Police. "We are currently investigating how to handle this."


Last October, four Hamilton teens were sent to hospital after smoking jimson-laced cigarettes during their lunch break at school. In October 2005, a Simcoe boy went into a coma and was airlifted to Sick Kids hospital in Toronto after ingesting jimson weed. In September 2003, a 13-year-old boy landed in the intensive care unit after eating the plant. It was also linked to at least one death in 2000 in the Niagara Region.


Police say the most common ways to ingest jimson weed are to eat the pods, brew the leaves as tea, or smoke the dried leaves.


Jimson weed, also known as thorn apple, stinkweed and angel's trumpet, is native to the Niagara Region and is often found in parks, yards and alleyways. It's also grown by gardeners. It is a smelly plant with pointed green leaves that sprouts trumpet-shaped white or purple flowers, as well as a prickly pod filled with dozens of seeds.


Every part of the plant is poisonous, containing hyoscyamine, a powerful hypnotic sedative, as well as high levels of nitrates. According to Health Canada, the poison in the plant is so potent that its nectar can even contaminate honey.


The symptoms of jimson weed poisoning include flushed, warm, and dry skin, dry mouth, rapid heart rate, and jerky, unco-ordinated movements.



http://www.thestar.com/article/264844

[Nagognog2]

For some strange reason, it's always three kids. Not two. Not four. Three. Always makes the papers, too. Hope they have a nice three-day vacation in hospital. Leather -restraints, enema-nurses, I.V. tubes, catheters...Ah! That is the life!

[Jacco]

If they're that anxious to get high, why don't they take dramamine or smother themselves with plastic bags or something? Clearly they'd stop doing it if they actually knew what they were getting into.

[grandbaby]

Ah, Niagara! Cradle of Canadian Civilization! We thand on guard for thee and all that.

[snapper]

Teenage enema nurses !

SWIM can understand why kids take this stuff. it is because they are deprived access to safe drugs like weed. SWIM never got around to abusing anticholinergics in SWIM's youth because there were so many better and safer things. Drug prohibition is also responsible for kids huffing whiteout, glue, duster, smoking banana peels, pine incense, taking benadryl overdoses, self-asphyxiation,sniffing doorknobs and bicycle seats.... If someone gave these determined if naive youths some weed or kratom or something relatively harmess like that, they would be far less likely to create any permanent damage to themselves. Hell,they're better off drinking alcohol.
However, this line of thinking is completely unethical. Only a truly deliquent youth would even consider altering their consciousness. Any such wrong-minded minor should go to the nearest religious institution immediately, put on a hair shirt and commence with prayer and self-flagellation. Repent, because every time you do a drug, a little baby angel in heaven shrivels up and dies (with a tear in its eye).
Oh, and stay off this forum if underage !

[hoodabudda]

Originally Posted by snapper

Teenage enema nurses !

SWIM can understand why kids take this stuff. it is because they are deprived access to safe drugs like weed. SWIM never got around to abusing anticholinergics in SWIM's youth because there were so many better and safer things. Drug prohibition is also responsible for kids huffing whiteout, glue, duster, smoking banana peels, pine incense, taking benadryl overdoses, self-asphyxiation,sniffing doorknobs and bicycle seats.... If someone gave these determined if naive youths some weed or kratom or something relatively harmess like that, they would be far less likely to create any permanent damage to themselves. Hell,they're better off drinking alcohol.
However, this line of thinking is completely unethical. Only a truly deliquent youth would even consider altering their consciousness. Any such wrong-minded minor should go to the nearest religious institution immediately, put on a hair shirt and commence with prayer and self-flagellation. Repent, because every time you do a drug, a little baby angel in heaven shrivels up and dies (with a tear in its eye).
Oh, and stay off this forum if underage !

kava is the antidrug. swim has cravings for NOTHING when hes on some strong kava brew. not even ciggs......

[Paracelsus]

Well, at least each such case helps prevent other such cases. The survivors will most likely never try it again and also speak up against datura among their peers. Or maybe their parents will use the opportunity to demonize drugs altogether. Trauma (such as bad trips, overdoses, hospitalizations, etc.) often convince people (especially immature and naive people such as most teenagers) to never EVER do any drugs again.

[Alicia]

jus a shame the delirant effects cant be isolated from the plant to get away from the more deathly side effects. The draw is there damm shame its so toxic. Suppose they'll go around pulling them out.

[zera]

Originally Posted by Euphoric

"It's making a comeback," said Sgt. Scott Kraushar of Niagara Regional Police. "We are currently investigating how to handle this.

A comeback from what?

Ahhh, I forgot about the great Datura Summer of Love in 72.