Dangers of street valium

People have been left fighting for their lives after taking deadly street valium in Ayrshire within the past fortnight.

A number of drug users have been rushed to A& E and ended up on life support, the Post has learned.

It turnedouttheyhadtaken a toxic batch of street valium. Therehasbeenastrangespike in more severe symptoms from the substance with patients suffering serious kidney and organ failure.

A top NHS Ayrshire & Arran medic has warned users they are endangering their lives by taking the pills.

Dr Morten Draegebo, clinical director of emergency medicine, said: “Although NHS Ayrshire & Arran has not seen a marked increase in the number of people attending our emergency departments with side effects of taking street valium, an increase in the severity of symptoms has been noticed.

“Street valium has unpredictable side effects, and can lead to people suffering life- threatening damage to their kidneys and other organs and needing immediate life support. The main symptom of street valium is drowsiness and difficulty in breathing effectively.

“We would urge anyone thinking of using illicit drugs, including street valium, and those drugs formerly called ‘ legal highs’, to keep in mind that they will not know what they are taking and they are endangering their life by taking them.”

The health board did not confirm how many people had been affected.

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