09/04/2004
Warning issued after deaths linked to 'bad' heroin batch
Police in Edinburgh have issued a warning to drug users following three sudden deaths and one overdose which may all have come from a bad batch of heroin.
Police have said that they are concerned that a bad batch of the drug may be being sold in the city after the deaths - which all occurred within the past three days.
A police spokeswoman warned drug users to be on their guard and seek medical attention should they think they have been affected.
All three deaths occurred in the Leith area. Yesterday, a 41-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were found at separate addresses after what police believe were drugs-related deaths. A 20-year-old died on April 6 also in similar circumstances. Investigations are continuing into the deaths.
On Wednesday, ambulance crews called to an address in Wester Hailes found an 18-year-old man who had overdosed after allegedly taking a cocktail of drugs which is believed to have included heroin. The man is currently recovering in hospital.
The police spokesperson added: "We are at the early stage of enquiries but public safety is our primary concern and so we must warn that potentially there is a contaminated batch of heroin in Edinburgh.
"In the case of the sudden deaths reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and post mortems and toxicology tests will be carried out on all of the victims. We will not be able to establish whether these deaths are linked until these results are back."
Anyone with information about these deaths or the sale of heroin in the city is asked to contact police, or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(gmcg)
Police have said that they are concerned that a bad batch of the drug may be being sold in the city after the deaths - which all occurred within the past three days.
A police spokeswoman warned drug users to be on their guard and seek medical attention should they think they have been affected.
All three deaths occurred in the Leith area. Yesterday, a 41-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man were found at separate addresses after what police believe were drugs-related deaths. A 20-year-old died on April 6 also in similar circumstances. Investigations are continuing into the deaths.
On Wednesday, ambulance crews called to an address in Wester Hailes found an 18-year-old man who had overdosed after allegedly taking a cocktail of drugs which is believed to have included heroin. The man is currently recovering in hospital.
The police spokesperson added: "We are at the early stage of enquiries but public safety is our primary concern and so we must warn that potentially there is a contaminated batch of heroin in Edinburgh.
"In the case of the sudden deaths reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and post mortems and toxicology tests will be carried out on all of the victims. We will not be able to establish whether these deaths are linked until these results are back."
Anyone with information about these deaths or the sale of heroin in the city is asked to contact police, or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(gmcg)
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