News / drugs

One dead and 20 hospitalised from lethal batch of drugs circulating in Bristol

By Martin Booth  Sunday Aug 1, 2021

“Dangerously high-strength” drugs in circulation in Bristol led to the death of one person and the hospitalisation of 20 others in the first weekend that clubs reopened.

Blue ecstasy pills with the Tesla logo on them being sold on the street are potentially fatal, with batches found elsewhere in the UK in recent years containing a dangerous mixture of meth and cocaine.

Bristol’s director of public health has warned anyone who takes the pills “to take extra care”.

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St Philip’s nightclub Motion has also released a warning about the “extremely strong” pills and Bristol nighttime economy adviser, Carly Heath, has also shared warnings about the drugs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6QEebn5Bu/

On their social media channels, Bristol City Council said: “On the first weekend of reopening, 20 people in #Bristol needed emergency hospital treatment due to recreational drugs. One person died.

“There are dangerously high-strength recreational drugs in circulation. Be aware of the risks.”

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Bristol’s director of public health, Christina Gray, said: “We’re becoming increasingly concerned about reports of a potentially lethal batch of drugs circulating in the city.

“It remains to be seen how widespread the issue is, however the recent hospitalisation of several people and the death of a young person over one weekend, suggests that this is not an isolated incident.

“Whilst I advise everyone against the use of illegal substances I urge anyone who intends to do so to take extra care and be aware of your friends and the help available to you.

“We’ve all waited a long time for the weekends to return, please don’t make it your last.”

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Read more: Problems with illegal drugs ‘as bad as they’ve ever been’

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On Friday, superintendent Mark Runacres from Avon & Somerset Police added: “We’d urge people to follow the advice of health experts to make sure they do not put themselves at undue risk.

“Officers will again be out engaging with people across the weekend as part of our established night-time economy policing plans.

“Our aim is not to stop people having fun; our aim is to make sure people remain safe while they have a good time.”

Main photo: scott-lry.tumblr.com

Read more: Pilot scheme to tackle drug misuse and associated problems in Bristol

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