Local authorities issued an urgent message after “at least one death” linked to contaminated drug batch
Local authorities issued an urgent message after “at least one death” linked to contaminated drug batch
One person has died and multiple others have suffered from overdoses as a batch of what is believed to be contaminated heroin has circulated in parts of Merseyside. Public health bosses said one person died on April 13 after consuming nitazenes, a group of extremely potent, synthetic drugs that copy the effect of heroin.
The death and a number of non-fatal overdoses have occurred in the Southport area. Sefton Council confirmed a total of eight non-fatal overdoses in the borough, with the incident currently being geographically focussed on Southport.
There has also been an isolated, but potentially related incident in Crosby. Health, police and treatment services are working closely together to prevent further harm.
Dr Rory McGill, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “These are deeply concerning events and our thoughts are with the families and friends affected.
“Nitazenes are far stronger than heroin and dramatically increase the risk of overdose, particularly when people do not know the substance is contaminated.
“We are urging anyone who uses drugs, or who knows someone who does, to take extra precautions. Avoid using alone, use much smaller amounts than usual, and carry naloxone where possible. If someone shows signs of overdose, call 999 immediately – it could save a life.
“Support is available, and nobody should feel they have to manage this risk on their own.”
An urgent warning has also been issued by the Cheshire and Merseyside Drug Local Drug Information System (LDIS).
The notice states: “In recent days, there has been confirmation of contaminated batch/batches of heroin circulating in and around the Southport area, with other reports of concerns from other local areas across Cheshire and Merseyside.
“There have been a number of overdoses, some of which required hospitalisation and at least one which was fatal. Forensic testing has identified the synthetic opioid etonitazene in the supply.”
The warning adds: “Synthetic opiates are extremely high risk, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
“Using these drugs could result in you being hospitalised or dying.”
The Cheshire and Merseyside Local Drug Information System (LDIS) is a multi-disciplinary system which uses existing local resources to receive, evaluate, and disseminate alerts about new and/or novel, potent, adulterated, or contaminated drugs.
It uses elements from established local systems and is separate but complementary to the protocol used by Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) centres and national teams to assess drugs intelligence and, where required, issue national briefings or alerts.
The notice issued by the LDIS provides information and guidance for how drug users can keep themselves safe.
This includes people ensuring they have access to nalaxone – an emergency medication used to temporarily reverse the life-threatening effects of opioid overdoses – and they they know where it is.
People are also advised to avoid mixing drugs, including with alcohol, which further increases the risk of overdose.
Those who are using drugs are advised to ‘go low and slow’, to start with a small amount and wait at least two hours before taking any and to not use drugs alone.
There are also testing strips which can be made available from local drug teams. While not 100% accurate, they can help to identify if drugs have been adulterated with a more harmful substance.
Anyone with concerns should contact 999 or their local drug service.
