Drug users warned over dangerous batch of pills (From Craven Herald)
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Drug users warned over dangerous batch of pills
10:17am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News
North Yorkshire Police have issued a drugs warning
A teenager from Bentham has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A and B drugs by police investigating the sudden death of a 24-year-old man in the town.
Former soldier Simon Wilcock was found dead in a house on Hillside Road, Low Bentham, on January 5.
Officers investigating Mr Wilcock’s death said on Tuesday that a man in his late teens had been arrested and released on bail while further inquiries are carried out.
Mr Wilcock lived in Grasmere Drive, High Bentham, and police believe his death may be linked to ”small blue pills”, which have caused severe reactions among a number of drug users in the Craven area.
North Yorkshire Police have now issued a warning over the unknown substance.
A spokesman said: “Officers are very concerned about the potentially harmful effects of the drugs which are currently circulating in the area.
“They appear to cause severe, adverse reactions in certain users, possibly when they are mixed with other substances in the body.”
Inspector Will Scarlett, of Craven Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “It is not known exactly what the pills are at this stage, and they are currently being analysed to find out what they contain.
“However, we do know that they can be extremely harmful and have caused severe reactions in several users.
“We are warning anyone who has bought or been offered anything similar not to take them under any circumstances.
“The pills may be passed off as a well-known drug to the unsuspecting buyer.
“If you have any knowledge of these pills, or any other drugs issues please contact the police as soon as possible.
“Any information will be treated in confidence. Our priority is to prevent anyone else being harmed and to get these drugs off the streets.”
People who feel unwell after taking anything they are unsure about are urged to immediately contact their GP or hospital, showing or describing the substance.
For advice about drugs, contact Craven Organisation for Drugs and Alcohol (CODA) on 01756 794363.
To pass information to North Yorkshire Police, call 101 or, alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
