Tainted Cocaine Turns Deadly, DEA Says

Wednesday September 2, 2009

Columbia cocaine producers are lacing their product with a medication to give it an extra kick, but the practice has turned deadly - blamed for three deaths and dozens of serious illnesses in the United States and Canada. The drug levamisole is used by veterinarians to de-worm livestock, but in humans in attacks the immune system.

Officials think as much as one-third of the cocaine in North America may be tainted.

Cocaine tainted with levamisole has been responsible for at least three deaths in the U.S. and Canada and responsible for illness in more than 100 other people, according to an investigation by The Associated Press.

A Hog Dewormer

The drug, used as a hog dewormer, can also be used in humans to treat colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that levamisole can increase levels of dopamine in the brain, giving cocaine a more intense high.

But levamisole has also been shown to severely weaken the human immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to fatal infections. Cocaine users have been turning up in hospitals with agranulocytosis, which suppresses white blood cells necessary to fight off infections.

One problem is healthcare providers are not aware of the risk.

A Disease You've Never Heard Of

"I would think it would be fair to say the vast majority of doctors in the United States have no idea this is going on," Eric Lavonas, assistant director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, told the AP. "You can't diagnose a disease you've never heard of."

Lavonas said in Colorado as much as half the cocaine seized contains levamisole.

The drug was first detected in the cocaine supply around January 2008. By January 2009, there were already 10 cases of illness as a result of using the drug in British Columbia. The problem is now much more widespread with case showing up across the country.

News Source:
AP IMPACT: Cocaine Made With Animal Medication Kills 3, Sickens Dozens Across US, Canada

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