Death fears over new drug
Health authorities are worried that a spate of patients treated in WA hospitals for severe seizures is linked to a new and lethal hallucinogenic drug, Wizard.
Police in other States have already warned about the high toxicity party drug, after seizures in NSW and South Australia.
The drug has been linked to deaths and left others seriously unwell, causing everything from brain damage to psychotic episodes. One Australian victim reportedly died after he ran repeatedly into trees and power poles.
The WA Health Department also warned yesterday about synthetic drugs, after similar presentations to metropolitan emergency departments caused by an as-yet unidentified illicit drug.
The Australian Medical Association WA had raised the alarm that doctors in Perth and regional hospitals were seeing a stream of acutely unwell patients, with some having to be intubated and admitted to intensive care.
WA's chief pharmacist Neil Keen said it was believed the patients had taken Wizard. Some had seizures, ended up in a coma or were severely agitated.
"While we are yet to have a confirmed identification of what these people have taken, it is a timely warning for people to be very cautious about taking drugs like these," Mr Keen said.
"Wizard can refer to synthetic cannabis but is also a name used for illicit drugs that have hallucinogenic effects, called NBOMe or 25i, usually sold in the form of 'blotter tabs' or as pills, white powder or clear liquid. They can be sometimes sold as, or mistaken for, ecstasy or LSD."
In the cases presenting to WA hospitals, it appeared Wizard had been sold as synthetic cannabis.
Mr Keen said NBOMe was very potent, easy to overdose on and could be fatal. It was banned in WA and anyone selling or supplying the drugs should be reported to the police.
AMA WA president Michael Gannon said the cases were concerning and the drugs had caused life-threatening side effects in several WA patients.
"They're being sold by criminal gangs who have no interest in people's health and wellbeing," Dr Gannon said.
"It reinforces the message you should not put something in your body if you don't know exactly what it is."
'It is a timely warning for people to be very cautious about taking drugs like these.'" WA's chief pharmacist *Neil Keen *
