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14/10/2013
Fatalities Linked To Illegal Drug In NI
Eight deaths in Hungary are thought to be linked to an illegal drug currently being sold in Northern Ireland.
A letter issued by the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, explains how the tablets, known as 'speckled red or brown cherries,' could have caused eight fatalities already in Hungary.
Testing of three batches of tablets recently seized by the PSNI indicated they contain a substance called 4-methylaminorex, para-methyl derivative, which is previously unseen in the UK.
"We have received reports via the Europol network and the Hungarian Focal Point that there have been 8 fatal cases associated with this substance in Hungary," the letter said.
"In all of these cases, the criminal procedure is still ongoing and the forensic reports have not been concluded. There is, therefore, no confirmed information on the role of 4-methylaminorex, para-methyl derivative in the deaths in Hungary. It should be noted that in Hungary these tablets were not in the form of Speckled Red or Brown Cherries – they were pink and green heart shaped and playboy shaped tablets.
"Those who take drugs within Northern Ireland should therefore be specifically warned of potential dangers linked to these Speckled Red or Brown Cherries. As the drug is new, symptoms are difficult to determine. Users should be urged to seek immediate medical help if they, or someone in their company, begins to feel unwell or feels a more intense high than usual after taking any drug, whether or not they believe it to be ecstasy.
(IT/CD)
A letter issued by the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride, explains how the tablets, known as 'speckled red or brown cherries,' could have caused eight fatalities already in Hungary.
Testing of three batches of tablets recently seized by the PSNI indicated they contain a substance called 4-methylaminorex, para-methyl derivative, which is previously unseen in the UK.
"We have received reports via the Europol network and the Hungarian Focal Point that there have been 8 fatal cases associated with this substance in Hungary," the letter said.
"In all of these cases, the criminal procedure is still ongoing and the forensic reports have not been concluded. There is, therefore, no confirmed information on the role of 4-methylaminorex, para-methyl derivative in the deaths in Hungary. It should be noted that in Hungary these tablets were not in the form of Speckled Red or Brown Cherries – they were pink and green heart shaped and playboy shaped tablets.
"Those who take drugs within Northern Ireland should therefore be specifically warned of potential dangers linked to these Speckled Red or Brown Cherries. As the drug is new, symptoms are difficult to determine. Users should be urged to seek immediate medical help if they, or someone in their company, begins to feel unwell or feels a more intense high than usual after taking any drug, whether or not they believe it to be ecstasy.
(IT/CD)
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