TAINTED COCAINE PROMPTS HEALTH WARNING

Recent illnesses attributed to tainted cocaine, which has killed one
Albertan, have prompted Canadian health officials to issue a warning
to users of the drug.

The Peterborough County-City Health Unit in Ontario was the latest to
issue a warning on Friday that cocaine could be laced with levamisole,
which is used to treat worm infections in animals. The drug is
sometimes used in treating colorectal cancer.

This can decrease white blood cell production and weaken the immune
system, causing chills, swollen glands, painful sores, skin abscesses
and lung infections.

The warning said 39 cases have been reported in Alberta in recent
months -- 11 confirmed and 28 probable -- in Calgary, Edmonton,
Cardston, Stoney Plain, Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie between
January 2008 and March 31, 2009.

Three deaths have also been reported in Canada and the U.S. due to
tainted cocaine, including one in Alberta along with one in Washington
and New Mexico.

"Any kind of a non-prescription drug, there is absolutely no controls
or mechanism in place to address what goes into the makeup of that
drug, none whatsoever," said Alberta RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes.

"When you don't have those regulations, guidelines and safety
precautions in place, then you are risking putting into your body, any
aspect of chemicals "That whoever is involved in the manufacturing
process decides to put in there."

Alberta Health and Wellness also issued a warning in November 2008,
after seven people got sick from laced cocaine.