Rising Toxic Exposure and Drug Use in Algeria: A Growing Threat to Children and Families

In Algeria, drug use and exposure to toxic substances are becoming an alarming issue, with young children among the most vulnerable. Professor Selma Kaddour, head of the toxicology department at the CHU de Bab el Oued in Algiers, reveals shocking statistics and cases, including children inadvertently consuming harmful substances, leading to severe neurological damage or even death.

Professor Selma Kaddour has disclosed that over the last two years, 404 children under the age of two have been admitted to the toxicology department due to exposure to addictive substances in their family environment. Cannabis resin is notably the most frequent substance involved, highlighting the dangers that children face when encountering such materials unsupervised.

Kaddour emphasizes that, in many cases, the outcomes are devastating—neurological damage is common, and fatalities often result from such exposures. The professor also shared the tragic story of a 14-year-old boy who died after inhaling Isobutane, commonly known as "lighter gas," and two brothers who perished after mistakenly ingesting a forgotten Tramadol pill.

The phenomenon extends beyond drug addiction to include incidents of poisoning from household products. One case involved an 18-month-old and his sister who consumed rat poison seeds they found outside their home, resulting in both children's deaths. Kaddour stresses the importance of supervision and safety measures within the household to prevent such tragedies.

Kaddour also warns of dangerous practices, such as using toxic substances like rat poison, liquid insecticides, or even certain plants like Chih, which can be neurotoxic and convulsive. These incidents often result from a lack of awareness of the dangers present in everyday items.

The professor urges parents to avoid outdated first aid methods like making children vomit after ingesting toxins and instead advises seeking immediate medical help through the Poison Control Center. She also calls for greater regulation of harmful food additives, such as certain colorings used in popular snacks, which have been linked to developmental disorders and increased pediatric cancer cases.

Professor Selma Kaddour's insights reveal a growing public health crisis in Algeria, particularly concerning children’s exposure to drugs and toxic products. She advocates for better education, public awareness, and stricter regulations to protect vulnerable populations, stressing that many of these incidents are preventable with the right precautions.