FOUR FIGHT FOR LIFE IN ECSTASY HORROR
‘POTENT’ DOSE PUTS 7 IN HOSPITAL
FOUR people are fighting for their lives after taking a highly potent form of ecstasy - as police arrested a man suspected of dealing a lethal form of the drug.
In all, seven have been hospitalised after taking after a substance locally known as ‘pink champagne’ or ‘magic.’
Two men and a woman were taken to hospital yesterday in Oldham. The woman and one of the men are in a critical condition. The other man is in a ‘serious’ condition.
It comes after four men were rushed to hospital on Saturday evening, with two of them also fighting for their lives.
The other two males have been sent home.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and remains in custody for questioning.
Police have issued a severe warning to avoid the highly potent, crystal form of the drug - which is believed to be a new strain unrecognised by even experienced drug users. So far all the cases have occurred in the Oldham area.
Doctors believe that consuming the drug could cause serious harm, and even have lethal consequences for those who have taken it.
Issuing a warning, Detective Inspector Jim Faulkner of GMP’s Oldham borough said: “Following Saturday night’s warning, there has been a further three people taken to hospital in bad health after taking what we believe is a form of MDMA.
“This brings the total number of people affected to seven in 24 hours which is causing us no end of concern.
“Please, if you believe that you or somebody you know has taken the drug and begins showing these symptoms then get yourselves to the hospital immediately.
“We have arrested one man in connection with the supply of the drugs, however, our enquiries and operational activity will be continuing.”
Police are urging anyone who has taken MDMA and show symptoms including rigid muscles, shallow breathing, fast pulse, hyper-agression, seizure, foaming at the mouth or loss of conciousness to get to a hospital immediately.
Anybody with information that could assist the investigation should contact police on 0161 856 9063 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.