Deaths show risks of lethal drugs, charity says

Blue pills sold illegally as Valium in Plymouth have been linked to the three deaths

The deaths of three men in Plymouth are a "stark reminder" of the dangers of illegal street drugs, charity workers have warned.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the deaths of two men in their 30s and another in his 20s on 7 and 8 June were believed to be related to drugs. A man, 45, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. He has since been bailed.

A public health warning was issued by Plymouth City Council, and officials said all three were believed to be linked to blue pills being illegally sold as Valium.

Julie Howes, chief executive of Plymouth-based substance misuse charity Harbour, said the recent deaths showed how lethal counterfeit street drugs could be.

Police said two of the men were found dead at an address in Welbeck Avenue on 7 June before a third man was found dead in a property on North Road East the following day.

On Monday, Det Insp Michelle Dunn said all three deaths were being treated as linked and unexplained.

'Unpredictable in strength'

Prof Steve Maddern, Plymouth City Council's director of public health, said the blue pills - which had been sold in blister packs with Arabic writing on them - were being tested to discover if they were toxic.

Ms Howes said: "This heart-breaking loss is a stark reminder of the risks posed by street drugs, particularly counterfeit or illicitly manufactured tablets.

"These pills are often unpredictable in strength and content and can be lethal.

"At Harbour, we are committed to doing everything we can to reduce drug and alcohol related deaths and minimise harm in our communities."

Harbour said it was committed to reducing drug and alcohol-related deaths

Ms Howes said the charity worked to engage with people affected by drug and alcohol use.

Work carried out by Harbour included offering training on naloxone, which can temporarily reverse the effects of heroin and other opiates or opioids overdoses.

The charity has also been part of a national campaign to eliminate Hepatitis C and has provided testing, access to treatment and harm reduction education.

Ms Howes added anyone who used drugs or alcohol or was concerned about a loved one should reach out.

"Help is available and recovery is possible," Ms Howes said.

'Hidden harm'

Police said officers and their public health and drug treatment partners were carrying out prevention and educational work.

A spokesperson said the force had links with University of Bath to analyse samples, which could help warn about potential contaminated substances, including the incident involving the blue pills linked to the recent deaths.

"This appears to have been effective, with no further incidents reported at this time," the spokesperson added.

Other work done by police included 400 naloxone kits being added to emergency first aid kits in police vehicles.

Police said anyone who noticed drug-related activity should report it to officers or Crimestoppers.

"There is a significant amount of hidden harm associated with the supply and use of drugs and illegal substances and as such it is crucial that those in our communities report information to us," a spokesperson said.

"It is those puzzle pieces that help us build up the bigger picture and take appropriate action."

'No single solution'

Prof Maddern said reducing drug-related harm and deaths was a "long-standing priority" for the council.

He said following the three deaths, the council and its partners had expanded the distribution of naloxone.

He added support services had expanded in Plymouth since 2022 due to increased government funding, but there was still plenty of work to do.

"We recognise that there is no single solution to this challenge," Prof Maddern said.

"Reducing drug-related deaths requires a sustained response and effective interventions."