University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, September 20, 1988
5
Toads are hallucinogenic Florida species can produce LSD-like effects
By Cindy Harger Kansan staff writer
The old saying, "kiss a frog and it will turn into a handsome prince", may have new meaning to the people of Kansas. The University of Kansas zoologist said
The giant toad, which is abundant in Florida, is the same toad that is reportedly being used as a hallucinogen in Australia said Joseph Collins.
Some Australians reportedly will boil the toad to obtain a fluid that produces effects similar to those of LSD
Collins said there was no evidence that people in Florida had been using the toads for that purpose, but that it was cause for concern.
"People who are inclined to use the toads for hallucinogens) are probably taking the toads in a different way now." Collins said
Collins said the hallucinogenic substance was part of the toad's natural substance. The toad secretes a strong, milky white substance through two large
When Collins read magazine and
Associated Press articles from Australia this spring reporting that people were trying to get high from secretions from the cane toad, he was surprised that the press hadn't realized that they were the same as the giant toads found in Florida. The scientific name is Bato martius.
"I thought it was very interesting," Collins said. "It was the same as the alien animal we have in Florida that we call the giant toad. I've been wondering when people would put two and two together."
The toads are not native to Australia or Florida. Collin said they were introduced to both places because people thought they would eat the mosquitoes. However, he said the toads grow to be so large — up to 10 feet — that they don't get enough nourishment from eating small insects.
"It was stupid to introduce them there. It served no purpose." Collins said. "Instead of eating insects, it used bugs and rodents for baby, babies, and red rodents.
The toads can be found naturally in Central and South America, and even
as far north as Brownsville, Texas Collins said.
The giant toad was introduced into Florida in the mid 1980s. Since then, it has multiplied and has become a pest, said Maj. Kyle Hill of the division of law enforcement for the Auburn water Fish and Game department.
Hill said that dogs would playfully attack the toads and ingest the secret or get squirred in the eyes with it. The substance can make the dogsick, temporarily blind them, or, in some cases, kill them.
Hill said the toads were a nuisance. They lay eggs in backyard swimming pools and can grow to be as heavy as 13 pounds.
But Hill said that so far, no major problems had arisen from the toads and that there had been no pollution. The toads for hallucinogenic purposes.
Collins said the loads could poso social, political and biological problems.
"Before we introduce alien animals, we should know what diseases it is capable of bringing in and what other problems it may bring in."
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — At least 100,000 U.S. children are homeless on any given night and that doesn't include those who have run away from home because of abuse or neglect by the parents, the National Academy of Sciences estimated yesterday.
While male alcoholics and former mental patients still make up a large portion of the homeless, the fastest growing group of people with no place to live is children under 18, in the academy's Institute of Medicine.
kitchens.
One recommendation aimed directly at helping children was that federal support for enriched diet, care and expanded outdoor expands to be expanded and coupled with outreach efforts to make homeless parents aware of help available for their needs.
Homeless children rising, study says
A recommendation issued to help the homeless in general was to permit the use of foodstalls at restaurants. A survey of people available to people who don't have
The committee members applauded changes that allow use of food stamps at shelters and soup kitchens. But they said operators of the facilities need to be educated about nutritional needs of the homeless.
The committee also sought to dismiss fears of city government offenses, and increased their efforts to help the homeless would only draw more attention.
The great majority of homeless people are long-term residents of the city they live in, the committee members said. What's more, the prospect for work is what causes homeless people to go to an amenity center or resupply for welfare. If jobs aren't available, they don't to stay long.
Federal bill strengthens food policy
Thus, the report concludes, "a minimum of 100,000 children are homeless on any given night of the week because children only in intact families.
WASHINGTON — President Reagan yesterday signed a compromise version of a Democratic-sponsored measure to bolster the government's emergency food programs.
The Associated Press
The measure authorizes expenditures of $1.648 billion for a three-year period.
Reagan made no comment in signing the bill, which increases the federal funding for food stamps, school breakfasts, child-care food and summer camps.
A White House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the agreement with the Senate conference committee and was considered more than acceptable to the original Democratic proposal.
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