Boy of 18 dies after taking ‘legal’ drug he bought online

A TEENAGER has died after using a legal ‘party’ drug bought online.

The 18-year-old, whose mother found him collapsed at home, swallowed a pill containing AMT, also known as alpha-cmethyl trypt a mine.

He was found ‘in a bad way’ in his bedroom on Wednesday and taken to hospital where he was put into a medically-induced coma. He died on Sunday.

The youth from Southampton bought the tablet from a website in the Netherlands.

Users experience a state of euphoria and increased energy levels. But the drug, which can be bought for as little as £3 a tablet, has devastating side effects, including paranoia and aggressive behaviour.

Yesterday police issued a warning over the dangers of party drugs as the youth became the third person in Hampshire to die

‘Realise the dangers’

after taking AMT since June last year.

Superintendent Ben Snuggs said: ‘Initial enquiries have established that the teenager appeared to have taken the psychoactive substances AMT and etizolam.

‘His mother contacted the emergency services after finding him ill in his bedroom.

‘This tragic death shows how important it is that people realise the dangers associated with taking “legal highs”. They are not necessarily safe.’

Detective Constable Jonathan Hyland added: ‘People incorrectly believe these “legal highs” are both safe and appropriate alternatives to street drugs.

‘Just because something is not illegal does not make it safe.

‘Unfortunately, it appears anyone can call anything a “legal high” and sell it as “safe”.

‘It only becomes clear it is not safe when someone becomes severely harmed by taking it.’

A post-mortem examination is due to be held later this week.