AP IMPACT: Tainted cocaine kills 3, sickens dozens (levamisole, livestock de-worming drug)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/31/09 | Jon Gambrell - ap

[NormsRevenge]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Nearly a third of all cocaine seized in the United States is laced with a dangerous veterinary medicine - a livestock de-worming drug that might enhance cocaine's effects but has been blamed in at least three deaths and scores of serious illnesses.

The medication called levamisole has killed at least three people in the U.S. and Canada and sickened more than 100 others. It can be used in humans to treat colorectal cancer, but it severely weakens the body's immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to fatal infections.

Scientific studies suggest levamisole might give cocaine a more intense high, possibly by increasing levels of dopamine, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitters.

Drug Enforcement Administration documents reviewed by The Associated Press indicate that 30 percent of all U.S. cocaine seizures are tainted with the drug. And health officials told the AP that most physicians know virtually nothing about its risks.

[NormsRevenge]

so the next time you see a liberal's nostrils flaring,, you'll know why..

[OB1kNOb]

At least they’ll be wormed.

[NormsRevenge]

yahoo teaser to article

DEA: One-third of seized cocaine laced with dangerous medicine

[tet68]

Just don’t walk behind them.

[La Lydia]

Snort. They’ll be high, AND they won’t have worms. What’s not to like?

[OB1kNOb]

And don’t invite them over cause they’ll drag their rear around on your carpet.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The coke dealers actually want to kill their customers huh.

[Jewbacca]

I’m trying to care.

[dog breath]

Adds meaning to “crack cocaine.”

[Cicero]

Little Rock. Where Bill & his brother Roger used to snort five lines and topple into garbage cans. How nostalgic.

[Mark was here]

Now if the do-gooders would get out of the way, folks would be able to know what they are abusing. The only ones who win here are those on the government payroll, grabbing tons of money from the taxpayers.

Stop the war on drugs, and stop caring about those who abuse drugs.

[Venturer]

Has it killed any innocent people?

[freeagle]

That’s really a funny one!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Someone better warn Obama.

Anyone??

[Publius6961]

...and exactly what’s wrong with a little natural selection?

[Ingtar]

Taint the other 2/3 and see if this is a self-correcting problem?

[SIDENET]

At least they’ll be wormed.

And their colorectal cancer will be treated.

[SIDENET]

“Don’t take the brown acid.”

[freekitty]

Or his butt.

[traditional1]

Democrat voterbase will be decimated if this keeps spreading.....