Latest news with #drugoverdose
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Viral simulation reveals the shocking effect of MDMA on the body...after teenager dies from overdose at gig
A viral video revealing the shocking impact of the party drug MDMA on the body has stirred up attention on social media, attracting more than half a million views. The clip visualises, in granular detail, the damage the drug can do to your body within seconds. These risks include blurred vision, muscle cramping, seizures, and even heart failure—which can be fatal. Commenting on the video, social media users shared their shock, with some sharing their experiences of frightening reactions on the drug. One user who had collapsed and hit their head on the ground a day after taking MDMA said: 'That seizure warning is f***king real alright!' Official figures estimate that around 170 people suffer MDMA-related deaths in the UK every year. Meanwhile, an estimated 2.4 million people, including 347,000 teenagers, take the drug, also known as ecstasy, according to studies. The video comes months after the inquest into the death of 17 year-old Emily Stokes, from Kent, who died after taking staggering levels of MDMA at a gig in Margate. Ms Stokes was found to have 5,500 micrograms of MDMA per litre of the teenager's blood – more than three times higher than the level that has been fatal in other drug overdose cases. The inquest was also told that a batch of the drug circulating in the area at the time was laced with lethal fentanyl. The viral simulation video, posted by animators Thought Café, begins by explaining how the drug—which can land you seven years in jail for possession—works to alter the brain. It explains that MDMA increases levels of the 'feel good' hormone serotonin in the brain, which boosts physical energy, euphoria, empathy and feelings of intimacy. 'Neurologically speaking, it tickles all the right spots in your brain,' the voice on the video says. 'The active chemical ingredient enters brain cells and kicks the release of serotonin into overdrive. Soon enough MDMA has you feeling like a champion.' However, he explains, the drug doesn't create serotonin—which plays an important role in influencing mood, behaviour, learning, memory, and other functions. 'It only increases the rate in which existing serotonin is released. This means you will essentially be dipping into your body's reserve tank.' The animation shows the body's reserve bank of serotonin in the brain draining—and the consequent sudden comedown as the character, who took the party drug, falls into a spiral of darkness. 'Four hours into your trip, most of your brain's existing serotonin reserves have been depleted. Welcome to the comedown—a lethargic and depressed massive neural sorrow,' the video explains. 'Over several days your brain works to replenish its capacity for the ecstasy you experienced just a short while ago. 'A few days of feeling sad is not the only thing to consider—there are serious dangers and risks to taking any drug, including MDMA, from blurred vision and muscle cramping to seizures and even heart failure.' Experts say regular use of the party drug can put you at risk of life threatening side effects. If you repeatedly take this drug, which depletes the hormone serotonin, responsible for regulating your mood, you're at a higher risk of anxiety and depression. The NHS warned selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and some other medications can dull the euphoria from MDMA, tempting people to take more. This is dangerous as it raises your risk of developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms include agitation or restlessness, insomnia, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle problems, sweating, and diarrhea. It can even be life threatening in severe cases, which can present as a high fever, tremor, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and unconsciousness.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Date set for inquest into death of man at Southwest Detention Centre
The Southwest Detention Centre in Windsor, Ont. is seen in this undated photo. (CTV News file image) A date has been set for the inquest into Joseph Gratton, the man who died at Southwest Detention Centre in Windsor on Oct. 30, 2019. The Minister of the Solicitor General said the inquest will start at 9:340 a.m. on Monday. The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Gratton's death, and the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. The inquest is expected to last five days and will hear from approximately five witnesses. At the time of his death, CTV Windsor had reported that Gratton, 31, was facing charges of robbery and assault with a weapon when he died of a suspected drug overdose. A second inmate was also taken to hospital from a drug overdose. It remains unclear how the drugs got into the jail. Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, the regional supervising coroner, will examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Warning issued over two suspected Southall opioid deaths
Warnings have been issued by a west London council and nightclubs after two people died in suspected drug overdoses from highly potent synthetic opioids. An investigation is under way into the "sudden deaths" of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman in Southall on 26 May, the Metropolitan Police said."This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill," a spokesperson for the force added. Drug testing charity The Loop has said the pills contain synthetic opioids called Nitazenes, which can be "50 to 500 times stronger than heroin". Ealing Council said the two people who died are understood to have taken green pills with the number 80 on one face and possibly an "OP" on the police said no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths. If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, help and support is available via BBC Action Line. East London nightclub The Cause posted about the pills on their Instagram account, stating there had been "several hospitalisations across multiple London venues".BBC News has contacted the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to verify this. The Loop said the pills are believed to have been sold as oxycodone. According to the NHS this is a prescription painkiller used to treat severe pain. What are nitazenes? Nitazenes are a type of high strength synthetic opioid - drugs which have a similar effect to heroin, but made in laboratories rather than from poppy developed by the pharmaceutical industry in the 1950s as a painkiller, clinical trials were abandoned amid concerns about their harmful compounds are dangerous because they can be 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin, so drug users have no idea of the potency of what they are drugs suppress the respiratory system, so people can die as they stop breathing but the symptoms of an overdose can be reversed by taking an antidote called naloxone. The most recent government data found there were 18 deaths linked to nitazenes in London from May 2023 to June 2024. The figure was 179 across Department for Health and Social Care stated the data "does not provide a comprehensive count of all deaths that may have involved potent synthetic opioids". An Ealing Council spokesperson urged people to avoid taking the green pills "even in small amounts".Anyone considering taking any other illicit pills should not do so alone, the council said, and should consider carrying naloxone - an opioid overdose anyone feels unwell after taking a substance, they are advised to seek emergency medical attention, the spokesperson Loop has also advised where such services are available to test drugs before they are taken.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Mother's warning after daughter died from lethal cocktail of drugs
A mother has warned of the dangers of drugs after her daughter accidentally overdosed on a lethal cocktail of substances while on holiday in Thailand. 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. The white powder she thought was cocaine was a lethal combination of drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills, morphine and anxiety medication. 'Stay away' Her mother 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 the 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.' 'Happy go lucky' Rebecca, who was described by her mother as 'caring' and 'happy go lucky' had been travelling in Thailand to celebrate a friend's wedding in Laos in March last year. She and 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. The couple had planned to check out on March 16 but at midday a friend called the hotel to say Rebecca was missing, the inquest heard. 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. Post-mortem 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 a post-mortem 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. Desperate attempt The hearing was told Rebecca had a history of drug and alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety, but was looking forward to travelling there and was due to meet up with friends. Coroner Laura Bradford ruled out suicide despite Rebecca's history of depression and mental health problems. Afterwards, her mother 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 assist children in schools in Bangkok which was a cause close to her daughter's heart. 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.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Grieving Bexhill mother urges others to avoid drugs abroad
The grieving mother of a woman who died from a drug overdose in Thailand has warned people to beware of buying drugs Turner, 36, from Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, was found dead alongside her boyfriend in their hotel room in Bangkok on 15 March 2024.A toxicology report found evidence of heroin, codeine, diazepam and trazodone in her bloodstream, and assistant coroner Laura Bradford concluded Ms Turner died a drug-related after an inquest in Lewes, her mother, Anita Turner, said: "If one person can see this when they go out there; please do not take anything, it's not worth it." 'Every day I cry' She added: "There are many deaths out there through the misuse of drugs, and with what's in these drugs, it's just not worth it because it's the parents that sit there picking up the pieces."Every day it kills me, every day I cry. I can't get over it and no mother would get over it."The mother added that her daughter had thought she was taking cocaine, but with "everything else mixed in it, it was deadly".The inquest heard the 36-year-old had occasionally taken cocaine and once sought treatment for problems with alcohol. However, her family said she was in good spirits before she travelled to Asia to go to a wedding last family described her as a loud and bubbly person with an infectious laugh, who enjoyed socialising and extending her condolences to Ms Turner's family, assistant coroner Ms Bradford said: "I hope that you can now focus on Rebecca's life instead of her death."
