Last Of Weed-Ingesting Teens Leaves Hospital

By Kate Ward

Posted: November 6, 2009 at 5:38 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — The last of five Fayetteville High School students being treated at Washington Regional Medical Center for jimson weed poisoning has been released from the hospital.

Alan Wilbourn, Fayetteville School District spokesman, said the students who ingested the poisonous plant experienced an elevated heart rate and high fever during the school day Monday. They were transported by ambulance to Washington Regional Medical Center, where three of the five students were admitted.

Two students were initially placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit but were later transferred to cardiac care. Only one student was still being treated at the hospital as of Wednesday, but that student was later released.

Wilbourn notified all parents of the situationwith a text message Tuesday, urging them to warn children about the dangers associated with jimson weed - a poisonous plant that grows throughout the U.S.

According to the National Institutes of Health, jimson weed poisoning occurs when someone sucks the juice, eats the seeds from the plant or drinks tea made from its leaves. The plant is sometimes ingested by young people seeking an altered state, but many are unfamiliar with its reputation and are unprepared for its side e◊ects: dry mouth, dilated pupils, high temperature, blurred vision, confusion, euphoria and delirium. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Though jimson weed is not illegal, Wilbourn said all five students may face disciplinary action.

“We know they didn’t get it anywhere near the school,” he said. “The rest of the details will be part of the disciplinary process.”

News, Pages 3 on 11/06/2009

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