Suspects being questioned as school children suffer marijuana intoxication

BELMOPAN, Belize, Apr 26, CMC – The Belize government has ordered a “ full and thorough” investigation the circumstances that led to several people including a five-year-old child being rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) after suffering marijuana intoxication on Tuesday.

“All efforts will be taken to ensure that our children are protected and where this matter is concerned, we will ensure that justice is served,” said Prime Minister John Briceño.

The Office of the Prime Minister said the investigation will “determine the source of some sweet treats, confirmed by testing to be laced with marijuana, that were ingested by a number of children and adults.

“Initial information is that the treats were purchased from two individuals, who are now in police custody along with some recovered items.

“During their interviews, the suspects claimed that the treats were purchased from another source. The Commissioner of Police has instructed that a thorough investigation be conducted to identify the primary source of the product,” the statement added.

It said that a report from the KHMH indicates that its Mass Casualty Code was triggered after seeing a high number of students admitted to its Accident and Emergency Unit after seemingly consuming the treats.

The KHMH chief executive officer, Chandra Cansino,  told reporters that the health institution had received “an influx of a few children that were exhibiting symptoms of nausea and vomiting, lethargy, et cetera” on Tuesday afternoon and that soon afterwards .”a few more came in and so we had to see what was going on”.

Cansino was unable to say how long the patients would be admitted for treatment, as each case was being treated individually.

The government statement said that “at the time of the incident, some of the children were unresponsive and unconscious” but that “presently, all children and adults are in a stable condition”.

It said the treats were collected for forensic analysis along with urine samples. The KHMH, National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC), and a team from Central Health Region are conducting the investigation.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has since sent public health inspectors and NDACC case officers to the affected primary school to investigate.

The ministry advises parents and guardians to monitor their children for signs and symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration and profuse sweating

“Based on the signs and symptoms, the presumptive diagnosis is that of marijuana intoxication. If anyone presents these symptoms, they should visit their nearest health facility.

Initial information is that the treats were purchased from two individuals, who are now in police custody along with some recovered items.

“The Office of the Prime Minister will continue to work closely with the KHMH, Belize Police Department and Ministry of Health & Wellness to address this matter. The OPM remains committed to protecting its citizens, especially Belize’s children, and will ensure that justice is served,” the statement added.

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