More bad news for Charlie Sheen: Most US-imported cocaine contains veterinarian horse deworming drug
Taylor
Published: Dec. 30, 2009 at 2:01 AM
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Much of the cocaine in the United
States has been cut with a drug used to deworm horses that can be
deadly to humans, San Francisco health officials say.
Studies have shown the drug, levamisole, can heighten the effect of
cocaine, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. That might be why it is
added.
Eight cases of illness caused by levamisole, which reduces white blood
cells, have been found in San Francisco. Far more people appear to be
ingesting the drug, with one study of 200 people who tested positive
for cocaine found that 90 percent tested positive for levamisole.
The symptoms include fevers, sores in the mouth and anus and
persistent infections.
"The big question we have right now is, if 90 percent of cocaine users
in San Francisco are positive for levamisole and are being exposed to
this compound, then why aren't 90 percent of them in the emergency
room with these side effects?" said Kara Lynch, associate head of the
chemistry and toxicology lab at San Francisco General.
The Centers for Disease Control reports levamisole has killed at least
one cocaine user in New Mexico.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/12/30/Cocaine-cut-with-dangerous-horse-drug/UPI-51751262156508/