CU student dead after drinking opium tea

[warriorsoul]

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11959326
CU student dead after drinking opium tea
By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post

Posted: 03/20/2009 12:38:06 PM MDT
Updated: 03/20/2009 02:56:11 PM MDT
The death of a University of Colorado student after drinking opium tea is being investigated and may lead to charges, Boulder authorities said today.
Sarah Huntley, spokeswoman for the Boulder Police Department, said that Alex McGuiggan, 20, was found dead by roommates at his home in the 3400 block of Moorhead Avenue late last month.
Huntley said that the Boulder County coroner's office ruled today that the death was accidental, caused by a morphine overdose.
"Although McGuiggan is deceased, criminal charges are still possible against other individuals," said Huntley.
The investigation has been assigned to the Boulder County Drug Task Force, headed by Cmdr. Tom Sloan.
The task force is made up of a variety of law-enforcement agencies, including the Boulder Police Department.
Huntley said that people should be particularly cautious when ingesting products such as opium tea because of their possible deadly effects.
Although poppy seeds and pods can be purchased over the Internet, they are not necessarily safe, she said. Depending how they are used, they also may be illegal, she added.

[manjotar]

damn, sucks for that kid... he should have been more careful!
that's the type of shit that's going to make getting pods off the internet illegal!
dose carefully people!!!

[claykrys]

R.I.P. Alex

Poor kid must have had a strong stomach if he could drink enough tea to O.D.

[manjotar]

i'm actually kind of liking the tea taste, at first i put in lots of honey and different teas to cover it up, but i think the straight tea with just a dab of honey is pretty tasty...

[Sidestreet]

Poor kid. A strong reminder that p-tea shouldn't be used carelessly.

[warriorsoul]

Alexander Charles McGuiggan

McGuiggan, Alexander Charles 20, born January 14, 1989, died unexpectedly on February 22, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado while a student at the University of Colorado. A graduate of New Trier High School (Class of 2007), Alex cherished his poetry, his music and "his" mountains. A loyal friend, Alex was known for his gentle kindness, perceptiveness, and deep empathy and sense of fairness. A devoted son and brother, he closed even simple text messages with a "Love you." Alex's untimely death leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of his parents, Michael McGuiggan and Jill Fischer, and his sister, Lauren McGuiggan, of Winnetka, IL. He will also be deeply missed by his paternal grandparents, Dr. Charles and Dorothy McGuiggan, of Spicer, MN (formerly Marshall, MN) and Mesa, AZ; six aunts and six uncles (Maureen [McGuiggan] and Grant Sorensen of Worthington, MN; Patty McGuiggan and Mark Robbins of Baltimore, MD; Mary McGuiggan and Jerry Dargis of Bloomington, MN; Tim and Connie McGuiggan of Helsinki, Finland; Ann [McGuiggan] and John Kellen of Waconia, MN; and Tim and Kryston Fischer, of Mendota Heights, MN); and 14 cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Earl and Jean Fischer, of Bloomington, MN. Visitation will be from 6:30-9:30 PM on Friday, February 27th, at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 28th, at Christ Church Winnetka (Church on the Hill), 784 Sheridan Road, (at Humboldt Ave.) Winnetka, IL, with a lunch reception to follow. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Relay for Life (New Trier High School chapter) in Alex's memory. Go to the website at http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/ and select "New Trier Event". Please email your favorite memories and photos of Alex to jill. fischer@yahoo.com

[roc]

So sad...

Pods don't play, learn how to dose, know physical dependency can happen quickly. Opiates will have you lying to yourself in a second.

[eastwood]

Sad state of affairs.RIP Alexander Charles McGuiggan.

[Soliver]

Originally Posted by manjotar

i'm actually kind of liking the tea taste, at first i put in lots of honey and different teas to cover it up, but i think the straight tea with just a dab of honey is pretty tasty...

In poor taste at best, considering the nature of this thread.

A little respect, fellas, not only for the dead, but for the power of the plant that caused it.

I can guarantee you this much: that kid hadn't planned on dying when he drank that tea,
any more than any one of you when you're dropping in your "dab of honey" to your PT.

Something to think about, at the very least. No one ever OD's on shrooms or MJ, dig?

soliver

[manjotar]

Originally Posted by Soliver

In poor taste at best, considering the nature of this thread.

A little respect, fellas, not only for the dead, but for the power of the plant that caused it.

I can guarantee you this much: that kid hadn't planned on dying when he drank that tea,
any more than any one of you when you're dropping in your "dab of honey" to your PT.

Something to think about, at the very least. No one ever OD's on shrooms or MJ, dig?

soliver

you know sol, i totally thought about it and felt like a dick a couple hours after i posted that... i can only give my most sincere apologies for that.

but for real, i think if he knew about dosing safely this whole thing could have been avoided.
the tea really is hardcore morphine, no matter what anyone says. and actually, anyone that knows would say that anyways....
once again though, i acknowledge that i said some insensitive shiznit. an hopefully some people will learn some lessons from this terrible mishap...

[roc]

Much respect for your reply... I sometimes post without thinking and later regret it.

It is a sad affair to loose a young life.

[mestophilies]

That is just incredibly sad, Know your substance, know your source, most importantly know your limits. Opium tea can be a good time, it can also be a slippery slope to hell. Many prayers and thoughts for the family and the lost son.

[prism]

One or 2 pods people... any more for a first ride and the worst can happen..

Take care kids!

[Lefty]

Well, there goes the neighborhood, surely we'll hear about the set up's from E-bay in just a few months. Wonder what it would take to prove a vendor had reason to believe they would be used for unlawful purposes?
As for bad taste, sending poppies to the funeral would be pretty low.

[LSDarkstar]

Man, what a shame.....a terrible event for the families involved. Good God man , looking at this pic of Alex .................... he was the same age as my daughter. It's chilling , and seems so unfair . Such a bright-eyed kid ........playing with opiates will kill ya . The poppy show no mercy. Killed my bestfriend and tour buddy, killed me ( but was too stubborn to stay dead 20 yrs ago).

floppypeterPods don't play, learn how to dose, know physical dependency can happen quickly. Opiates will have you lying to yourself in a second.

Bro, ain't that the truth. builds a tolerance like no other............then take your last breath. Sad Sad Sad news ...... Rest Peacefully Alex....Love You too.


I'm such a hardhead and I need to learn from this, but sadly also....my affection just may do me in one day. I hope like hell not....my poor little monkey gets loose and goes on a rampage. It's a love hate relationship. At least he's in a cage for now................ pain meds keep my back in check, and my ole lady keeps me in check.


I hope someone will learn from this tragedy.
Use with Caution !!!!!!

As the Eagles said , " Take It Easy".

[rocketman]

I think education helps save lives to a point, but lots of people die knowing they are pushing thier luck.


There comes a point in opiate addiction where you dont get high, or feel euphoric, etc. You dose just to not be dopesick. This is where for even the educated it becomes dangerous. You raise the dose a few times until you reach a point where you wont get high, you just die. Many die chasing that high they used to feel.

Just remember, many people much smarter than you or I have died thinking they were too smart to let it happen to them.

[Shroomette]

I know I have to pay my respects to Alex. RIP!
The advice from floppypeter, LSDarkstar, and others VERY well said. I've only dosed once on optium tea but, I was very cautious about it. Used it for pain.

[Soliver]

Originally Posted by rocketman

I think education helps save lives to a point, but lots of people die knowing they are pushing thier luck.


There comes a point in opiate addiction where you dont get high, or feel euphoric, etc. You dose just to not be dopesick. This is where for even the educated it becomes dangerous. You raise the dose a few times until you reach a point where you wont get high, you just die. Many die chasing that high they used to feel.

Just remember, many people much smarter than you or I have died thinking they were too smart to let it happen to them.

Indeed... it makes me kinda ill to see people "discovering" pods on this or other sites... no one starts
out planning on getting hooked / junked / dead, but it happens nonetheless... there are just
SO many other fun recreational drugs out there that don't turn you into a dopesick maniac in a month or less.

Manjotar - You're alright Wish I had a sticky bud for every time I've posted something I regretted afterwords.
Until that exchange occurs, I guess I'll just have to keep croppin' my own,



soliver

[manjotar]

thanks sol, you know i've been here a while and i've heard about all the BS you've gone through with all this jazz... i honestly do remeber your words and wisdom on the subject when i start getting too involved.

[Soliver]

Maybe there's some people who can control the habit, in the same way there's some people who can
smoke a cigarette once a month or so, enjoy it, and forget it.. Not me, unfotunately. Hopefully the rest of the world doesn't
have an absolutely addictive personality like me ...



soliver

[~Hippie3]

i wonder why he was in such pain...

[Walls Have Teeth]

lost 4 friends this year, watching from afar its so obvious when things are going horribly wrong with opiate usage....

but when your the one under the needle (or tea in this case) you really don't (or can't) think, and its impossible to see how insanely far you are pushing the human limitations to handle a powerful substance.

It is so horribly sad... but unfortunatly it is just getting worse and kids are dosing up younger and younger.

I read something a few years back about an 11 or 12 year old girl falling out after smoking heroin for the first time.... such an unfortunate loss

[rocketman]

Originally Posted by Lefty

Well, there goes the neighborhood, surely we'll hear about the set up's from E-bay in just a few months. Wonder what it would take to prove a vendor had reason to believe they would be used for unlawful purposes?

This may indeed be ammo for the dea to do thier thing. I hate how they already have thier hands in how drs. treat patients. If they go after the folks choosing to treat themselves for pain, then they will be a step closer to reaching thier ultimate goal. Total control over every dr. and patient, with the dea writing the rules on who can get what. hell they are pretty much there already.

edited to say: the world is not an easy place to live for anyone. it could have just as easily been us. maybe back at his age id have done the same? the kids will continue looking for an alternative to reality, thats just how it is. if this were nirvana, then there would be no emotional or physical pain.

I think having a site like this one available where a person can learn the facts, and not some biased opinions about entheogens is a noble endeavor. Who knows, if the kid would have come here first, he may still be alive. Maybe not, but at least he would have seen what could happen, and make informed decisions.

[seedlessstinky1]

Originally Posted by rocketman

the world is not an easy place to live for anyone. it could have just as easily been us. maybe back at his age id have done the same? the kids will continue looking for an alternative to reality, thats just how it is. if this were nirvana, then there would be no emotional or physical pain.

I think having a site like this one available where a person can learn the facts, and not some biased opinions about entheogens is a noble endeavor. Who knows, if the kid would have come here first, he may still be alive. Maybe not, but at least he would have seen what could happen, and make informed decisions.

Rocket you have made some very good and true statements in this thread.

There has been some pretty bad heroin outbreaks in the northern part of my state and the kids doin this shit are 12-14. Slammin dope. Its cheaper here than meth, coc, chronic, oxi's, or anything really for that matter other than gas or duster. Its sad.

This is terrible news. I hate to see anyone go out like this, let alone a young kid. May you find eternal peace.

[aumbrellaforainydays]

in chasing the dragon, we should learn to be cautious, that dragon can burn you. may his family remain strong and prosperous, i've experienced one too many close friends leave their families too early in life.

all substances should be treated with respect.

useless fact: Bayer company sythesized and coined the term heroine.

[bosshogg]

i'll never forget reading the anarchist's cookbook as a young buck. one of the first lines in the chapter on drugs says something to the affect "have RESPECT for the drugs effects, whatever you're doing."

this here is a sad story, and a reminder to not get to comfortable . wake up and do your research ,some of the shit out there don't play. also, you better know who you're dealing with because some of the folks out there play alot harder then the shit you're playing with. be smart out there people...we're in this to help our pain and have a little fun not to die.

R.I.P.