Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Joel Baglole
Link: http://www.vch.ca/newslinks/media/2005-04-07-Mening_joints_final.pdf 
(Vancouver Coastal Health Authority announcement)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MARIJUANA-JOINT SHARING LINKED TO SPREAD OF POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASE

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is warning people not to 
share marijuana joints because the practice is resulting in the spread of 
meningococcal disease, which is potentially fatal.

Two people have died since November after contracting the illness. The 
health authority said in a news release that it has recorded five cases of 
the disease since November. Four of those people regularly smoked and 
shared marijuana, the health authority said.

"Sharing joints, which has been reported in other clusters of meningococcal 
cases, exposes users to saliva that may contain the meningococcal 
bacteria," Dr. Patricia Daly, director of communicable disease control for 
the health authority, said in the release. "Those who smoke and share 
marijuana on a regular basis are urged to either change their behaviour or 
get vaccinated."

Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium that can be spread through 
sexual contact, saliva and the sharing of joints, cigarettes and drinks.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom