Second Death Of An Individual Who
Used Synthetic Cannabinoids
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[April 03, 2018]
SPRINGFIELD
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the
death of a second individual who experienced severe bleeding and
reported using synthetic cannabinoids, often called Spice, K2, or
fake weed. To date, IDPH has reports of 56 people, including two
deaths, in the Chicago area and in central Illinois who have
experienced severe bleeding and reported using synthetic
cannabinoids. All cases have required hospitalization for symptoms
such as coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose,
and/or bleeding gums. Nine of these cases have tested positive for
brodifacoum, a lethal anticoagulant often used as a rodenticide, or
rat poison.
“We continue to see the number of cases rise,” said IDPH Director
Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “IDPH is continuing to work with local
health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, along with other partners, to try to identify common
products. Without more information, IDPH does not know how much
contaminated product is circulating or where. We strongly urge
everyone not to use synthetic cannabinoids.”
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that
are sprayed on to dried plant material. They can be smoked or sold
as liquids to be vaporized in e-cigarettes and other devices.
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These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they are similar to chemicals
found in the marijuana plant. The health effects from using synthetic
cannabinoids can be unpredictable, harmful, and deadly.
IDPH continues to investigate to try to identify any common products and
determine where they were obtained. Synthetic cannabinoids are found across
Illinois and the U.S. in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia
shops, novelty stores, and online.
Anyone who has a reaction to synthetic cannabinoids, such as severe bleeding,
should call 911 or have someone take them to the emergency department
immediately.
To maintain confidentiality, additional information about the cases, including
the two deaths, is not available. The number of cases and counties of residence
are posted on the
IDPH website at 1:30 p.m. each weekday.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health] |