Warning on lethal drugs is issued after teen dies

THE HSE has issued a public health warning in relation to a potentially deadly drug that Gardaí believe may have been responsible for the death of a Cork teenager.

The synthetic opiate U-47700, a drug similar in appearance to cocaine and eight times stronger than heroin, is believed to be circulating in Cork.

The drug, which is commonly referred to as ‘pinky’, ‘pink’ or U4’ has been linked to as many as 90 deaths in the US and a number of fatalities across Europe in recent months.

THE HSE in Cork has issued a public health warning about a potentially deadly drug that gardaí believe may have been responsible for the death of a teenage boy in Cork City earlier this week.

The alert has come following the death of 16-year-old Michael Cornacchia, who gardaí believe may have died as a result of taking the synthetic opioid U-47700.

The alarm was raised at about 10.30am on Monday morning when the teenager’s mother was unable to wake him.

The emergency services were called to family home at Deermount, Deerpark, but attempts to resuscitate Michael were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

Following the tragedy the HSE issued a warning to all drug users to “stay well clear” of U-47700, which is believed to be in circulation around Cork and being sold in the form of white powder as cocaine.

The drug, which is known on the streets as ‘pinky’, ‘pink’ or ‘U4’, is similar in appearance to cocaine and is understood to be up to eight times stronger than heroin.

The synthetic drug has been linked to as many as 90 deaths in the US, including that of the rock star Prince, which was caused by a cocktail that included fentanyl and U-47700. In recent months the drug has also been linked to a number of deaths across Europe.

While the drug was added to the list of schedule 1 drugs in the US late last year, it can still be purchased relatively easy online through predominantly Chines based websites.

Several US states have all moved to ban the drug which was first developed by pharmaceutical giant, Upjohn as a synthetic alternative to morphine.

In their statement the HSE said they were aware that substances sold as cocaine may contain other substances such as synthetic opioids.

“There is no way of telling what is a powder or pill just by looking at it. It may well looking like the drug you want to purchase, but it may well be something else,” said the advisory.

“All drug users are advised that there is no guarantee that the drug you think you are buying and consuming is, in fact, the drug you are sold.”

The statement went on to say that the very nature of the illicit drugs trade means there was “no quality control” on illegal drugs.

“There can be problems with purity and contaminants in all illegal drugs.”

The HSE further advised those taking drugs not to mix them with alcohol or other drugs as they can interact dangerously with each other.

To those who insist on taking drugs, it urged them to take smaller amounts if unsure of the source.