Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: March 19, 1999
CONTACT: Robert J. Marshall Jr., Ph.D. 401-222-2231. Assistant Director of Health (Community Affairs)

Teens Experience Unusually Bad Reactions to LSD and Marijuana
Attorney General and Health Director Concerned about Possible Causes

The Director of Health and the Attorney General today informed Rhode Island parents regarding what appear to be some unusual and serious side effects of drug use among Rhode Island teens. During the past few weeks, a small but unusual number of hospitalizations occurred, some involving serious psychiatric illnesses, apparently related to drug use—particularly marijuana and LSD. This raises concerns that some street drugs may be ultra-high potency, contaminated with toxic substances or "laced" with other drugs.

"We don’t have enough information yet to justify raising a general alarm," said Dr. Patricia Nolan, Rhode Island’s Director of Health. "But we also don’t want to wait for a crisis to make people aware that we’re concerned. This serves as notice to health care providers, school officials, law enforcement agencies and parents to watch out for unusual behavior and/or the sudden onset of severe mental disorders—possibly related to illegal drug use. If you encounter such behavior, seek medical attention immediately."

The reports are not limited to a single community or area of the state. Due to confidentiality of health care information and the ages of those affected, no additional details on the individual cases will be released.

The Department of Health, Attorney General Whitehouse’s office, the Division of Substance Abuse at the Department of Mental Health Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH) and the Department of Education all continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to respond. Attorney General Whitehouse forwarded an alert to all Rhode Island police departments to advise them of the situation.

For speech or hearing impaired,
1-800-745-5555 (TTY)
Department of Health Website: www.health.state.ri.us