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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Thu Dec 5, 2019, 11:19 PM Dec 2019

Flesh-eating bacteria linked to heroin kills 7 in California

Source: Associated Press


Updated 9:05 pm CST, Thursday, December 5, 2019

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A flesh-eating bacteria linked to the use of black tar heroin has killed at least seven people over the past two months in the San Diego area, prompting health authorities to alert law enforcement and other officials in California.

Nine people who injected black tar heroin between Oct. 2 and Nov. 24 were hospitalized with severe myonecrosis, a soft-tissue infection that destroys muscles. Of the seven who died, five were men. The nine patients ranged from 19 to 57.

Also, 13 people in Southern California have been diagnosed with wound botulism since Sept. 1, which also may be tied to black tar heroin, said Dr. Eric McDonald, director of epidemiology and immunization services at the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency.

Law enforcement agencies are trying to determine the source of the heroin. It is unclear exactly how the bacteria was transmitted.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/medical/article/Flesh-eating-bacteria-linked-to-heroin-kills-7-in-14885559.php

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Flesh-eating bacteria linked to heroin kills 7 in California (Original Post) Judi Lynn Dec 2019 OP
tragic Skittles Dec 2019 #1
It is ... but so is the black market for opioids ... mr_lebowski Dec 2019 #2
Yup, I agree, it's beyond time to get this RIGHT! Brainfodder Dec 2019 #3
 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
2. It is ... but so is the black market for opioids ...
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 03:47 PM
Dec 2019

Legalize it and sell it at a small profit over cost, and most of the major societal problems would go away, apart from addiction and the occasional OD (often caused by street drugs being of unknown strength). Like this one: weird bacteria in the supply, almost certainly.

Rx opioids are actually pretty damn non-toxic as long as you don't OD ... they're akin to the damage smoking pot causes. Of course, can't be shooting them up every day cause you'll screw your veins up, but ... they're nowhere near as damaging to the body and mind as cigs or booze.

Most people, once addicted, don't get high anymore (it becomes impossible), they just use to feel normal/functional.

Brainfodder

(6,423 posts)
3. Yup, I agree, it's beyond time to get this RIGHT!
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 04:01 PM
Dec 2019

Education, not prohibition .

Treatment of the suffering, but you need to dump the current drug laws and healthcare for all, or forgetabout!?!

So much HC waste, it's embarrassing that corporate greed stands in the way.




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