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NEWS: Herald Sun - 26/10/07 'Ice users risk serious liver damage'

lil angel15

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Ice users risk serious liver damage
October 26, 2007 04:55am

RECREATIONAL users of the illicit drug ice risk life-threatening liver and heart failure, a medical specialist has warned.

Professor Paul Haber, medical director for drug health services at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, has told a gastroenterology symposium in Perth that hospitals are now seeing cases of young ice users with serious liver damage.

Prof Haber said while users were aware of the general effects of ice on their mental and physical functioning, they could also get "serious medical injury".

"That includes damage to the liver or even liver failure," Prof Haber said.

"What we are talking about is an unusual or uncommon side-effect, but it's a risk and it can be fatal.

"Anyone thinking of using ice has to think about that, as well as damage to the heart and also stroke.

"These are life-threatening, major disorders that people have to be aware of."

Prof Haber said his hospital was seeing about two to three cases a year of major organ failure in ice users.

But he said the actual numbers could be higher, as users would not necessarily present immediately to a hospital.

Prof Haber said the notion of ice being a "party drug" was being discouraged by health professionals.

"We just use the word 'drug' because the party aspect makes it sound safe," he said.

"But the safety is not there, because they are an illegal drug, the composition is uncertain and is not certified by anyone."

Herald Sun
 
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