Teenager dies in magic mushroom incident
Monday 04 August 2008
An 18-year-old man in The Hague has died after jumping out of a window in his home while under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms, reports ANP news service.
The teenager was taken to hospital on Sunday with severe injuries and died an hour later, police told ANP.
The number of incidents related to the use of so-called magic mushrooms has increased over the last few years, especially in Amsterdam where many tourists take them without realising their effects.
In March last year, a 17-year old French girl died after taking magic mushrooms and jumping off a bridge in Amsterdam.
According to Amsterdam health service figures, ambulances were called out to deal with mushroom-related incidents 128 times in 2006.
At present the sale of dried mushrooms is forbidden, but fresh mushrooms are still available in so-called smart shops.
However, last autumn the government agreed to a total on hallucinogenic mushrooms and a new law is currently going through parliamentary procedures.
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