Italian toddler dies from methadone overdose
A two-year-old boy who died last year in north-west Italy was killed by the heroin-replacement drug methadone, according to a new toxicology report.
Before the test results were revealed this week the toddler was thought to have died from meningitis on October 31st, in the Genoa area, Rai News said.
But new clinical tests show that the two-year-old is thought to have died from methadone, an addictive sedative used to wean addicts off heroine.
The boy’s mother, a drug addict, is reportedly being investigated for manslaughter along with her partner.
She is thought to have given her son methadone to stop him having a tantrum, although the toddler may have taken the drug when left unattended, Rai News said. A dose of ten millilitres is enough to kill a child, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
The news comes just days after a mother in Sicily was jailed over her 18-month-old baby’s cocaine overdose. The boy was admitted to hospital covered in bruises and scratches, with a urine sample showing a high concentration of the drug in his body.
SEE ALSO: Bruised baby treated for 'cocaine overdose'
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Comments
See Also
Before the test results were revealed this week the toddler was thought to have died from meningitis on October 31st, in the Genoa area, Rai News said.
But new clinical tests show that the two-year-old is thought to have died from methadone, an addictive sedative used to wean addicts off heroine.
The boy’s mother, a drug addict, is reportedly being investigated for manslaughter along with her partner.
She is thought to have given her son methadone to stop him having a tantrum, although the toddler may have taken the drug when left unattended, Rai News said. A dose of ten millilitres is enough to kill a child, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
The news comes just days after a mother in Sicily was jailed over her 18-month-old baby’s cocaine overdose. The boy was admitted to hospital covered in bruises and scratches, with a urine sample showing a high concentration of the drug in his body.
SEE ALSO: Bruised baby treated for 'cocaine overdose'
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.