WARNING ISSUED OVER CRACK COCAINE

Medical Officer Says Contaminated Drug Can Alter Symptoms

Ottawa's medical officer of health is warning emergency crews to be
on the lookout after contaminated crack cocaine was found in Toronto.

Dr. David Salisbury sent a memo to Ottawa police, paramedics, the
coroner's office and hospital emergency rooms Friday, after the drug
diltiazem was found in Toronto crack cocaine samples.

Diltiazem, which has the trade names Cardizem or Dilacor, is used to
treat high blood pressure and heart problems. It should lower
increased heart rates and blood pressure caused by cocaine, the memo states.

It's speculated that the drug may have been added to crack cocaine in
an attempt to "ameliorate the negative consequences of cocaine on the
cardiovascular system."

But high doses of cocaine can lower the heart rate and cause cardiac
blocks -- disruptions to the electrical actions of the heart -- that
would be exacerbated by diltiazem.

Dr. Salisbury said yesterday diltiazem could also cause problems for
health care providers because symptoms associated with cocaine use
could be altered by the drug.

"It would present a confusing picture," he said.

No contaminated crack has been reported in Ottawa, Dr. Salisbury said.

"Since we're close enough to Toronto and cocaine is a considerable
part of the drug scene in Ottawa, I figured it was appropriate to
send that cautionary note along," he said.

Dr. Rita Shahin, associate medical officer of health with Toronto
Public Health, said their memo to emergency officials and street
nurses was sent Thursday.

Officials conducted recent tests after some drug users complained of
feeling ill, Dr. Shahin said. Diltiazem was found on six out of seven
crack pipes tested, she said.

The drug is not thought to be related to illnesses reported by the
drug users, Dr. Shahin said, adding the contaminated crack cocaine is
not thought to be responsible for any serious illnesses in the city.

Dr. Salisbury's memo states that emergency departments suspecting a
patient may have used contaminated crack cocaine should call the
Ontario Poison Centre for patient management advice.