Latest news with #drugawareness
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Opioid ‘hundred times stronger than heroin' linked to UK clubbing deaths for first time
Two people in their twenties have died in London after allegedly consuming a super-strong opioid drug, the first that experts have linked in the UK to the new substance. Warned that they can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin, nitazenes are a newer form of synthetic opioid and can be mis-sold as drugs including oxycodone, which is a highly addictive prescription drug used to treat pain. A 20-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man are understood to have taken the drug after visiting a club in south London over the May bank holiday weekend. The blue tablets, which are marked with the number 80, could potentially be mistaken for 'oxys', which can help users fall asleep. In a statement on their social media page, the nightclub Ministry of Sound in Elephant and Castle said: 'We have been informed of a dangerous batch of blue-green pills marked with '80' are being sold across London. 'These pills have been linked to hospitalisations and tragically two confirmed fatalities. 'Reports indicate they contain synthetic opioids, along with traces of ketamine and MDMA. They are being mis-sold as Ecstasy or Oxycodone, and investigations are ongoing.' They encouraged anyone who was feeling unwell while at the venue to seek medical help immediately from their on-site team. The Cause, in east London, and Fabric, in Farringdon, also posted similar messages warning people of the risks of consuming the drug. It has prompted fears ahead of festival season, with increased calls for front-of-house drug testing. Speaking to The Times, Professor Fiona Measham, the founder of drug checking charity The Loop, said: 'Up to now, there have been about two nitazene-related deaths per week in the UK, predominantly linked to contamination of opiate and street benzodiazepine markets,. 'This appears to be a leap from dependent to recreational drug using communities with the deaths of two clubbers but we don't yet know the purchase intent. If we did, we could target the appropriate groups looking to buy, for example, oxycodone or ecstasy pills.' The Home Office said: 'Every death from drugs is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two individuals who have sadly lost their lives. 'We are determined to take steps to prevent drug-related deaths and we support the testing of drugs seized by the police or deposited in amnesty bins, but we cannot endorse testing for recreational users because there is no safe way to take illegal drugs. 'We are doing everything we can to tackle the evolving threat from synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, including working closely with the police to increase the number of officers carrying the opioid overdose antidote naloxone.' The Metropolitan Police said: 'We are currently investigating the death of two people at a residential address in Havelock Road, Southall. 'Met officers were called on Monday, 26 May at 16:00hrs following reports that a 20-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man had been found unresponsive. 'Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the scene where both people were sadly pronounced dead. The deaths are being treated as unexpected and an investigation remains ongoing. 'Post-mortem examinations have been carried out and we await the results of toxicology findings. 'Next of kin for both the man and the woman have been informed, they are currently being supported by specialist officers.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Students at Pittsburgh Dilworth PreK-5 found with heroin stamp bags
Pittsburgh Public Schools is asking parents to check their children's belongings after they learned about several students being in possession of stamp bags of heroin. The bags are stamped with the words 'Take Off' and were found in the possession of several Pittsburgh Dilworth PreK-5 students. PPS said Pittsburgh Police are trying to find out where the heroin came from and how students ended up with it. Pittsburgh Dilworth families are asked to check their children's belongings and to contact 911 if they find the illegal substance in their items. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Anti-drug awareness seminar held in Al Dhahirah
Dhank: The Wilayat of Dhank in Al Dhahirah Governorate on Thursday hosted an awareness seminar titled "Your Mind is Your Identity – Don't Lose It to Drugs," held under the auspices of Sheikh Musallam Ahmed Al Ma'shani, Wali of Dhank. The event was organised as part of ongoing community efforts to strengthen national belonging and reinforce Omani identity while addressing the dangers of drugs and psychotropic substances. The seminar featured two main thematic discussions. The first segment addressed critical perspectives on the issue, examining the health consequences, legal implications, and religious rulings regarding drug abuse. The session began with an impactful theatrical performance by the Wahj Al Khayal team, illustrating the devastating effects of narcotics on individuals and society at large. The second part of the seminar focused on identity and citizenship values. A working paper was presented about this theme that emphasised the fundamental role of national identity in building an aware and cohesive society capable of overcoming various challenges. A highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the winning logo for Dhank's Community Competition Team to Combat Drug Abuse. This initiative aims to enhance community awareness and support youth-driven projects in drug prevention efforts, reflecting the local commitment to addressing this critical social issue.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Brit woman, 36, died on holiday in Thailand after ‘accidentally taking lethal cocktail of drugs with her boyfriend'
A BRIT woman died on holiday in Thailand after accidentally taking a lethal cocktail of drugs with her boyfriend, an inquest heard. Rebecca Turner, 36, was discovered lying on her side near the bathroom in her hotel room in Bangkok. 4 4 Her boyfriend Sam Melnick, 32, was found dead on the bed during the double tragedy in March last year. An inquest heard the pair believed they were taking a line of cocaine but the powder actually contained a lethal mix of medication. Rebecca's devastated mum has now warned other travellers to stay away from street drugs while travelling in Thailand. Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: "It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. "I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it." The mum also slammed cops in Thailand and claimed the drugs were bought from a pusher just yards from a police station. Anita added: "There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know. "I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous." East Sussex Coroners' Court heard Rebecca had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding. She checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 with Sam and was due to check out four days later. On March 15, Rebecca messaged a friend saying she had bought cocaine but was not heard from again - prompting a pal to raise the alarm. The court heard hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so used a key card to gain entry. They discovered the couple dead with a clear plastic ziplock bag also found nearby. White powder was also found on the sink that Thai police later determined to be heroin. But toxicology carried out by UK medics after Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK showed a complex mix of drugs. These included morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. But she had previously spent four years in Laos, which she described as her second home, and was looking forward to travelling. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide and instead recorded a conclusion of drug-related death. Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among the group who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol, can be lethal. Rebecca's mum has since visited Thailand three times since her death and is planning to return so she can provide assistance for children in schools in Bangkok. Anita said: "I want to go back and help the schools for the sake of Rebecca, to raise funds and equipment for them. It was something Rebecca really wanted to help with so I'm doing it for her as well. "But most of all I just want to say: 'Please don't do drugs out there'. "It's so dangerous and you don't know what is in it. It's just not worth it. "Rebecca was a lovely, caring person. She was happy go lucky really and we loved her. We are absolutely heartbroken." 4 4
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Happy go lucky' British traveller was found dead in Bangkok hotel room with her boyfriend after accidentally taking lethal cocktail of drugs, inquest finds
A 'happy-go-lucky' and 'caring' young British woman died while on holiday in Thailand after accidentally consuming a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard. Rebecca Turner, 36, died in a Bangkok hotel room after taking what she thought was a line of cocaine with her partner. But the white powder she thought was cocaine was actually a lethal combination of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, morphine and anxiety medication. Now her devastated mother has warned other travellers to stay away from street drugs while travelling in Thailand. Anita Turner, 64, from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, said: 'It's so, so dangerous out there. There are loads of drug deaths all the time. It's shocking. 'I would warn people to stay away from recreational drugs out there because you simply don't know what's in it.' She condemned Thai police and said the drugs were bought from a street drug pusher just yards from police station on a road notorious for tourist deaths. 'There have been multiple deaths on that one road. Loads of people have died and yet the Thai police don't want to know.' 'I'm absolutely heartbroken. It's been devastating for the whole family. I wanted to warn people going out there not to buy drugs. It's too dangerous.' Rebecca had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding in Laos in March last year. She and friend Sam Melnick, 32, a self-employed gas-engineer and plumber, had checked into the Khaosan Palace Hotel on March 12 and were due to check out on March 16 He had texted a friend on March 15 saying he had just bought some cocaine, Mrs Turner said. An inquest into Rebecca's death heard the couple had planned to check out on March 16 but at midday a friend called the hotel to say Rebecca was missing. Hotel staff made several calls to the hotel room but received no answer so, as the guests were overdue for checking out, staff went to the room and used a key card to gain entry. On entry they discovered Rebecca lying dead on her left side on the floor near the bathroom while Sam was lying dead on the bed. The inquest at East Sussex Coroners' Court in Lewes, was told a clear plastic ziplock bag was found containing white powder, White powder was also found spread on the sink and a bank note was found rolled up on the sink. The drug was ultimately found to be heroin. Rebecca's body was flown back to the UK and an autopsy was carried out. The pathologist carried out toxicology tests and found evidence of multiple drugs in her system including morphine, monoacetylmorphine, noscapine, diazepam, codeine and trazodone. The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. But the 36-year-old, who had previously spent four years in Laos and described it as her second home, was looking forward to her travelling and was due to meet up with friends. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide despite Rebecca's history of depression and mental health problems. Giving a conclusion of drug-related death, she extended her sympathies to the family. Afterwards her mother, Anita, said she had visited Thailand three times since her daughter's death last year in a desperate attempt to uncover what actually happened. She plans to go back again in June to help provide assistance for children in schools in Bangkok which was a cause close to her daughter's heart. She said: 'I want to go back and help the schools for the sake of Rebecca, to raise funds and equipment for them. It was something Rebecca really wanted to help with so I'm doing it for her as well. 'But most of all I just want to say: 'Please don't do drugs out there'. It's so dangerous and you don't know what is in it. It's just not worth it. 'Rebecca was a lovely, caring person. She was happy go lucky really and we loved her. We are absolutely heartbroken.' Last year, six tourists - including a British lawyer - died in Laos after drinking vodka laced with deadly methanol. Trainee solicitor Simone White, 28, was among five young women and one man who consumed vodka at the £6-a-night Nana Backpacker Hostel. Just 4ml of methanol, a common by-product of home-brewed alcohol which is sometimes added to bootleg drinks to make them stronger, can be lethal. All six people died despite receiving medical treatment. A further dozen needed hospital treatment but survived.
