Two in hospital after taking 'contaminated' drug

Police said two people in separate incidents had been taken to hospital (stock picture)

Two people are in hospital after taking a potentially "contaminated" batch of street drugs, police have said.

Cleveland Police said they were found unconscious in Stockton, Teesside, after taking what was suspected to be zopiclone, a sleeping pill, in separate incidents on Tuesday.

Both were taken to the University Hospital of North Tees for treatment.

Investigations into the source and nature of the drugs are under way.

The force has urged people not to take "potentially dangerous" street drugs and to seek immediate medical assistance if they become unwell.

Last year, a man died and several people were taken to hospital after taking what was also described to be a "potentially contaminated" batch of the drug.

The NHS describes zopiclone as a "type of sleeping pill that can be taken for short-term treatment of severe insomnia".

It also states that the medicine "is only available on prescription".