Skip to main content
Log in

Fatal intoxications in Denmark following intake of morphine from opium poppies

  • Kasuistiken
  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In Denmark it is legal to grow opium poppies for the production of poppy seeds and until 1986 for decoration purposes, too. Danish poppy capsules contain 0.3–5 mg morphine per capsule and the content of morphine in opium exuded from the capsules may amount to 24%. This has resulted in misuse as both fresh and dried poppy capsules have been used for the production of “opium tea”. During the period 1982–1985, seven casualties occurred among drug addicts in Denmark which were solely or partly caused by these opium poppies.

Zusammenfassung

Der Anbau von Mohn zur Produktion von Mohnsamen (für Brötchen) ist in Dänemark erlaubt; bis 1986 war er auch zu dekorativen Zwecken zugelassen. Dänische Mohnkapseln enthalten 0,3–5 mg Morphin per Kapsel. Der Inhalt von Morphin im Opium, das aus den Kapseln gewonne wird, kann bis zu 24% ausmachen. Dieses hat zum Mißbrauch von sowohl frischen als auch getrockneten Mohnkapseln zur Produktion von „Opiumtee“ geführt. In der Zeit von 1982–1985 erfolgten sieben Todesfälle von Drogensüchtigen in Dänemark, verursacht ausschließlich oder teilweise durch diese Mohnkapseln.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bjerver K, Jonsson J, Nilsson A, Schubert J, Schubert J (1982) Morphine intake from poppy food. J Pharm Pharmacol 34:798–801

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fritschi G, Prescott WR (1985) Morphine levels in urine subsequent to poppy seed consumption. Forensic Science Int 27:111–117

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kaa E (1987) Deaths from poisoning in Jutland 1981–85. Arch Pharm Chem Sci Ed 15:50–64

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kaempe B (1971) Determination of an unknown drug in forensic chemistry. Dansk Tiddskr Farm 45:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  5. Steentoft A, Worm K, Christensen H (1984) Deaths among drug addicts in East Denmark in 1982 and 1983. The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. Proceedings of the 21st International Meeting, September 13–17, Brighton, UK, pp 229–236

  6. Steentoft A, Worm K, Christensen H (1985) The frequency in the Danish population of benzodiazepines in blood samples received for blood ethanol determination for the period June 1978 to June 1979. J Forens Sci 25:435–443

    Google Scholar 

  7. Steentoft A (1985) Corfirmation of heroin intake by determination of 6-monoacetylmorphine in urine samples. The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. Proceedings of the 22nd International Meeting, Rigi, Switzerland (in press)

  8. Worm K, Christensen H, Steentoft A (1985) Diazepam in blood of Danish drivers: Occurrence as shown by gas-liquid chromatographic assay following radioreceptor screening. J Forens Sci 26:407–413

    Google Scholar 

  9. Worm K (1985) Screening materials for basic compounds. The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. Proceedings of the 22nd International Meeting, Rigi, Switzerland (in press)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steentoft, A., Kaa, E. & Worm, K. Fatal intoxications in Denmark following intake of morphine from opium poppies. Z Rechtsmed 101, 197–204 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201114

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201114

Key words

Schlüsselwörter

Navigation