'Red alert' over bizarre killer drug
Warning over drug with strange side effects-
A SA man battered himself to death after consuming-
'60s style psychedelics make a comeback.
A POWERFUL warning has been issued over a drug sold as LSD linked to the deaths of Aussie teenagers, as the 60s hallucinogen enjoys a resurgence.
A Red Alert has been issued by the Trans European Drug Information Project (TEDIP) over the substance, 25I-NBOMe, which is sold as LSD.
The drug has been implicated in a number of deaths in South Australia. One man died in March 2012 after beating himself to death against objects including trees and poles, while on 25I-NBOMe, and a related substance.
LSD and other hallucinogens have risen in popularity in recent years, particularly among 20 to 29 year olds, according to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Drug educator Paul Dillon presents drug education programs in schools and says there’s been a substantial spike in interest in hallucinogens among teenagers.
"I certainly see a dramatic increase in hallucinogens in general," Mr Dillon said – even including more powerful hallucinogens, like "DMT".
The report said 25I-NBOMe is deadly in high doses and that the emergence of the substance on the street "requires serious reactions from health care institutions",
doctors, users and the media. Mr Dillon said it is rare for TEDI to release such a powerful warning.
"People need to be aware there’s a risk," he said. "When they put that it, it’s like: 'We really need to tell people'."
This drug, which is being sold under the name LSD, can be toxic in high doses, the TEDI report warned.
LSD does not regularly cause death by overdose, rather by misadventure, as hallucinations often cause people to take part in dangerous behaviour such as walking in front of cars or jumping from tall objects, said Mr Dillon.
Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham of the NSW Drug Squad said people contemplating taking the drug should be aware they don't know exactly what they are taking.
In December, Nick Mitchell, 15, from the NSW Central Coast, died after taking what was believed to be LSD. Nick's friend, also 15, ran naked onto a busy road and was knocked down by a car.
Mr Dillon said he had visited many schools since Nick’s death and has warned students: "We have no idea how he died yet... but we know there is LSD in Europe that has contained [the toxic substance]".
NSW Police is awaiting a toxicology report to confirm what substance Nick consumed.
A researcher at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Joe Van Buskirk, told news.com.au 25I-NBOMe and similar drugs have become popular online imports in the hallucinogen category of substances.
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/he...arre-killer-drug/story-fneuzlbd-1226583371088