University in drugs warning

A UNIVERSITY has issued an urgent message to students following a rise in drug overdoses.

The University of Exeter’s Cornwall campus, has warned students against taking “contaminated” heroin.

It put out the warning earlier this month and urged drug users to carry at least two doses of an anti-overdose medication with them.

It comes after so-called ‘street benzos’ – drugs appearing to be Xanax and Valium – at its campus in Falmouth had been found to be contaminated, leading to a rise in overdoses in the town.

The warning from the university advised students that if they are going to take drugs, then to sample any new drugs in low doses or to have a “sober sitter” nearby. However, the university added that it does not condone the taking of drugs at all and believes that “not to do so is the safest approach”.

The warning from the University of Exeter said: “We’ve been made aware of a rise in the number of drug overdoses within the Falmouth and Penryn area in recent days. It’s thought that heroin, street benzos and potentially other substances have been contaminated. This is a risk even in smaller doses than usual.”

A university spokesman added: “We were asked by the drug and alcohol support teams in Cornwall to inform our students about a rise in drug contamination and overdoses in the local area.

“The safety of our students is our top priority and so we followed the advice. We do not condone drug taking and have zero tolerance of any criminal or antisocial behaviour related to drugs, including the supply of drugs.”