The Sinaloa Health Secretariat confirmed that 14 elementary school students were treated for amphetamine poisoning after a Children’s Day celebration in the municipality of Eldorado.
The students attended a school party at the elementary school where they attend classes in the town of San Diego. Upon returning with their parents, the latter noticed strange behavior. They reported excessive tongue movements, agitation, loss of control, and tongue biting. Some even experienced hallucinations.
Yesterday, official figures indicated that 12 children may have been poisoned, but this Saturday, in an updated report, the state agency confirmed the case for 14 students between the ages of 6 and 10.
“According to the laboratory tests, they tested positive for amphetamines,” it stated.
The Sinaloa Health Secretariat reported that the guardians took the minors to health institutions after they showed symptoms of drug poisoning on April 30.
The head of the department, Cuitláhuac González Galindo, explained that the affected children were treated at various health centers, and of these 14, three required hospitalization. Two of them were admitted to the Mexican Social Security Institute and one girl to the Sinaloa Pediatric Hospital.
“Fortunately, the minors have already been discharged,” he reported.
The official mentioned that, so far this year, there have been approximately 29 patients poisoned by various substances, all of whom were adults.
Parents suspect that the hibiscus water offered to them during the celebration could be the cause of the poisoning. According to testimonies, the children described the drink as having a bitter taste.
After testing positive for synthetic drugs, the tutors filed a formal complaint with the Central Zone Regional Deputy Prosecutor’s Office and requested that toxicology tests be performed on the remaining students at the school.
According to local media, 17 cases of illicit substance poisoning among minors have been reported at the Pediatric Hospital so far this year, including those who accidentally ingested them.
The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) will be in charge of conducting the corresponding investigations to determine the origin of the substances and who is responsible.
Source: reforma
