Concern raised after drugs death tragedy

A MAN has now died and four others are critical after taking what is believed to be a form of the drug MDMA over the weekend.

Eleven people have now been hospitalised by the batch of ecstasy-style drugs known locally as "pink champagne" or "magic".

One of them, a 26-year-old man from Rochdale, died yesterday while four men are currently in a critical condition and receiving treatment in intensive care.

As reported in the Chronicle yesterday, Oldham police launched a hunt after four men were taken to hospital on Saturday after taking the drug. On Sunday, another five men and one woman were taken to hospital after also taking what is believed to be the same MDMA-based drug.

One other is in a stable condition in hospital and three people had treatment but have since been released from hospital.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs but has since been released under investigation.

The drug is believed to come in crystal form and is highly potent, with many of the people police have spoken to saying that this is the first time they have seen or heard of the drug.

Professor Matthew Makin, the medical director for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, says users are "taking their lives in their hands" and has spoken out to warn people off the drug.

Tests are still ongoing to determine why the strain is making people ill.

Prof Makin said: "We don't know what it is, so if you're buying it, you certainly don't know what it is.

Unpleasant

"Anything that is not regulated and is illegal, you don't know what's in it. It has some very unpleasant side effects."

Side effects are thought to include rigid muscles, shallow breathing, racing pulse, hyper-aggression, seizure, foaming at mouth and unconsciousness.

All the patients being treated in hospital are from Rochdale, Oldham and Bury and are thought to be in their 20s.

Chief Superintendent Neil Evans said: "Sadly a man has now died as a result of taking what we believe is an MDMA-based drug.

"His death comes as four others are in a critical condition after a total number of 11 were hospitalised over the weekend after taking the drug. This is incredibly worrying and, with our colleagues from the NHS, we are doing all that we can to warn people against taking the drug and help those who may have taken it.

"So if you believe that you or somebody you know has taken the drug and begins showing symptoms then get yourselves to the hospital immediately.

"I reiterate the dangers of taking this or any recreational drug. We have sadly had one person tragically die as a result of taking MDMA and others are fighting for their lives. We will support their devastated families. I hope we don't have to support even more families. Cases like this are ones that we always hope we don't have to deal with."

Anybody with information can call police on 0161 856 9063 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.