Alert on potentially deadly new ‘designer’ drug
Shropshire Council’s public health team have issued a warning about a dangerous new ‘designer’ drug which is believed to be in circulation in the county and has been implicated in deaths elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
The drug, called 4,4-DMAR (Paramethyl-4-methylaminorex), is not currently a banned substance, but has been mixed with other controlled drugs with fatal consequences. Its presence has been detected following the deaths of more than 20 people in Northern Ireland and others in Hungary.
Intelligence has now revealed that the drug may be being supplied in Shropshire, sparking concern that it might also be available in other parts of West Mercia and Warwickshire. This is the first time this has appeared in the West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police alliance area.
Detective Inspector Tom Harding said that 4,4-DMAR was sometimes supplied as crystal miaow and was also passed off in white powder form as cocaine. It has also been seized abroad in the form of speckled brown tablets with a cherry or cross motif on them.
Taking 4,4-DMAR can cause serious side effects including psychotic symptoms, hyperthermia, foaming at the mouth, breathing problems and cardiac arrest, especially after a high dose or in combination with other drugs.
Det Insp Harding said:
“This new psychoactive substance is potentially lethal and we have reason to believe that it is for sale in and around Shropshire, and possibly elsewhere.
“Such drugs are known as ‘legal highs’, but just because they are not currently banned does not mean they are not dangerous. Taking them in combination or mixed with other controlled or illegal drugs could have tragic consequences. That has already been highlighted by the deaths in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in Europe.
“People who are involved in taking such substances need to be aware of the danger posed by this, and we would appeal to anyone who knows anything about the supply of 4,4-DMAR or illegal drugs to contact the police immediately on the non-emergency number 101.
“We realise there are some people who may not want to talk to us directly and would wish to remain anonymous, in which case I would urge them to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Details can also be passed to Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Shropshire Council’s public health team urge anyone who has taken any substance that resembles this legal high, and starts to experience any adverse effects such as rapid heart rate, to seek medical assistance immediately.
Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, added:
“It is important people are aware these ‘new psychoactive substances’ or legal highs as they are commonly known, can be as dangerous as illegal substances. If you do have experience any adverse physical effects from taking any substance legal or otherwise please seek medical advice immediately. I would also urge anyone with any information regarding this substance to contact the police or Crimestoppers.”
If you, or any one you know is having any problems with any legal highs or illegal drugs and want help, please contact the Community Substance Misuse Team on 01743 258800.
