Nunavut residents warned about contaminated cocaine
Last Updated: Monday, December 29, 2008 | 9:33 AM CT
CBC News
Nunavut's chief medical officer of health is warning residents to be aware that contaminated cocaine is making its way across the country.
Cocaine cut with the antibiotic levamisole has been found in Western Canada over the past year.
Dr. Isaac Sobol said the contaminated cocaine has not been seen in Nunavut yet, but it surfaced in the Northwest Territories earlier in December.
"This is a contaminant that has been added to the cocaine. The guess is [that] it was used to increase the volume of cocaine, so people who sell it will make more money.
"But people who took this contaminated cocaine have been suffering from bone marrow suppression, and [that is where] the blood cells [are produced] that are your main defence against infection. So they can get really sick, really quickly," Sobol said.
Levamisole is an antibiotic normally used to treat worm infestations in animals.
Health officials urge anyone who has recently used cocaine and is experiencing infection-like symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
Symptoms include persistent fever and chills, swollen glands, sores in the mouth or around the anus, skin infections and pneumonia.
At least 10 people got sick after using the contaminated cocaine in British Columbia, and seven cases were reported in Alberta in November.
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