Authorities Brace For Ecstasy OD's At Lollapalooza
(CBS) -- Chicago health agencies are worried that they're about to see another dramatic increase in drug overdoses in the next several weeks. It happens every summer at Lollapalooza and other popular outdoor music events.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports there were as many at 100 overdoses at Lollapalooza in Grant Park last year.
Experts say the problem drugs are Ecstasy -- a combination amphetamine and hallucinogen -- and its sister drug, "Molly." Inexperienced young people might think they're not as dangerous as cocaine or crack. They would be wrong.
"What it ends up doing to these kids is causing significant elevations of blood pressure, elevations of heart rate, elevations of body temperature," said Art Kubic, a pharmacist at the Illinois Poison Control Center.
Factor in the summer heat, and Kubic said there's a real issue.
"You've got these kids going into the emergency room with temperatures -- 103, 104, 105 degrees," he said.
Some Lollapalooza fans said they've witnessed the problem.
If you or someone close to you thinks they have a problem, the Poison Control Center has a 24/7 hotline available. The number is 1 (800) 222-1222. Calls are anonymous.
