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Sixteen people hospitalised on Gold Coast in 'zombie' drug overdose One still critical after 16 put in hospital by Gold Coast 'zombie' drug
(about 5 hours later)
Queensland authorities hope toxicology results will shed light on a mystery hallucinogenic drug that led to the hospitalisation of 16 Gold Coast partygoers. A man who took a hallucinogenic drug on the Gold Coast is in a critical condition in hospital, but 15 others have been allowed to go home.
The man is in intensive care at the Gold Coast University hospital. He was one of 16 people treated there on Friday and Saturday nights after they consumed an unknown drug circulating on the Gold Coast.
A hospital spokeswoman could not say if the man was expected to live, however the other 15 people affected have recovered and been discharged.
Queensland authorities hope toxicology results will shed light on the mystery hallucinogenic drug that led to the hospital admissions.
Police and paramedics were called to various Surfers Paradise addresses across Friday and Saturday nights to deal with their bizarre behaviour.Police and paramedics were called to various Surfers Paradise addresses across Friday and Saturday nights to deal with their bizarre behaviour.
The patients – eight each on the two nights – were aggressive, non-compliant and dangerous, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.The patients – eight each on the two nights – were aggressive, non-compliant and dangerous, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.
Some were jumping on furniture, others were running into traffic and one even ended up swimming in a canal.Some were jumping on furniture, others were running into traffic and one even ended up swimming in a canal.
Police Superintendent Michelle Stenner said it was a great drain on police and health resources.Police Superintendent Michelle Stenner said it was a great drain on police and health resources.
“This is a massive community concern in terms of the fact that these persons are taking substances, they don’t know what they are, they don’t know what’s in them and what the consequences might be,” she said.“This is a massive community concern in terms of the fact that these persons are taking substances, they don’t know what they are, they don’t know what’s in them and what the consequences might be,” she said.
“As a result, everyone has to tend to their needs, which might be placing themselves in a dangerous situation.”“As a result, everyone has to tend to their needs, which might be placing themselves in a dangerous situation.”
The drug believed to be involved is a synthetic hallucinogen, Alpha PVP, referred to in the US as the “zombie” drug or “gravel”.The drug believed to be involved is a synthetic hallucinogen, Alpha PVP, referred to in the US as the “zombie” drug or “gravel”.