The Angel's Trumpet plant is highly toxic when ingested. (flickr) |
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles city leaders are issuing a warning about a common California plant that some high-school students have been using as a drug.
Nearly one dozen kids in the Los Feliz area have been rushed to the hospital with severe reactions after ingesting the Angel's Trumpet plant, according to City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.
Students apparently take the plant, which has beautiful trumpet-like flowers, and either chew it or concentrate it into a tea form.
LaBonge says teens who have ingested the highly toxic plant seem confused, agitated and have patchy discoloration on their skin.
Other side effects can include dilated pupils, intense thirst, fever, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, memory loss, convulsions and paralysis.
An overdose on the plant can lead to permanent organ damage, coma and even death, according to LaBonge.
LaBonge says kids need to be educated of the dangers, and parents can also do their part by cutting back trees and keeping buds out of reach.
Nearly one dozen kids in the Los Feliz area have been rushed to the hospital with severe reactions after ingesting the Angel's Trumpet plant, according to City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.
Students apparently take the plant, which has beautiful trumpet-like flowers, and either chew it or concentrate it into a tea form.
LaBonge says teens who have ingested the highly toxic plant seem confused, agitated and have patchy discoloration on their skin.
Other side effects can include dilated pupils, intense thirst, fever, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, memory loss, convulsions and paralysis.
An overdose on the plant can lead to permanent organ damage, coma and even death, according to LaBonge.
LaBonge says kids need to be educated of the dangers, and parents can also do their part by cutting back trees and keeping buds out of reach.
