In the past there have been a number of cases reported of jimson weed poisoning in New Jersey. The victims have generally been teens, who were attempting to "get high". Several of the teenagers have been hospitalized in critical condition. Often people who hear about jimson weed, sometimes over the internet, only hear about the "high" and not about the serious medical problems that can result. This alert will give you information about the plant, its poisonous actions on the body, and some treatment guidelines. Anyone suspected of being poisoned by jimson weed should be seen immediately in a hospital emergency department.

What It Is: Jimson weed (datura stramonium, also called thornapple, stinkweed, locoweed, devil's trumpet or green apple) is a common weed which grows throughout the world in temperate and tropical regions. The plant is found across the U.S. in fields, along roadsides, on sand dunes, in parks, in waste areas, just about anywhere weeds grow. The harmless looking plant grows to 3-5 feet tall, has spear-shaped green leaves and produces trumpet-shaped white or purple flowers in late summer. The characteristic prickly pod, containing dark brown seeds, appears in the late summer/early fall. The seeds are sometimes sold as street drugs.

Actions: The plant has a long and infamous history. A member of the nightshade family, every portion of the plant is poisonous. Although it has long been known to be toxic, parts of the plant traditionally have been used cautiously for herbal medicinal purposes (often in poultices or teas). The seed pod contains anywhere from 50 to 200 seeds (these contain more toxin per weight than the remainder of the plant). The active toxin affects a portion of the nervous system. Exposure through either eating or inhaling portions of the plant produces, usually within 1-4 hours, the characteristic findings of: rapid heart beat, dilated (widened) pupils and/or blurred vision, dry flushed skin and mucous membranes (with a resulting desire to drink lots of fluids), paralysis of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, an inability to urinate (resulting in a painful full bladder), drowsiness or changes in behavior, disorientation, hallucinations (usually vivid and frightening), seizures, coma and rarely, death. The symptoms generally last a few hours or days but, because of the effect on the gastrointestinal tract, have been reported to last weeks.

Drug users questioned about their experience with this plant state that if they tried it once they would never use it again. They caution others to avoid it because of how sick they became.

Treatment: Anyone who has been poisoned by jimson weed needs prompt medical attention. Call 9-1-1 to get emergency medical help. Keep the patient in a non-threatening, quiet environment until help arrives. If the person stops breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Prevention: Speak to children and teens about the dangers of the jimson weed. Identify and destroy any jimson weed plants found on your property. Encourage local officials to destroy jimson weed found on public lands or in abandoned lots. Jimson weed is seasonal; the plants should die when frost comes.

Prepared by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services/Office of Emergency Medical Services in cooperation with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System.