Important warning issued to drug users in Swindon

Detectives investigating a potentially stronger than usual batch of drugs in the Swindon area are issuing an important warning to drug users.

In the early hours of this morning, a man in his 40s sadly died after ambulance crews and police were called to The Parade, Swindon town centre.

This follows three other suspected drug related deaths in the area of adults in similar circumstances since the beginning of May.

All four individuals are believed to have consumed what they believed to be heroin before suffering medical episodes.

Since the start of May, the police and  health professionals in Swindon have been alerted to a number of incidents where drug users have experienced very poor health from taking substances including heroin and cocaine, requiring medical attention.

There is a new group of drugs called Nitazenes which pose a substantial risk of overdose, drug-related hospitalisation and drug-related death. The opioids are combined with street drugs including heroin, which users may not be aware contain Nitazene.

Although these incidents have not been linked to the presence of Nitazenes, Wiltshire Police and health colleagues are urging those that use drugs to take extra care and to alert family members and friends of those who may be at risk of the dangers of synthetic opioids.

Duty Supt Conway Duncan said: “We are in close contact with our colleagues in Public Health in relation to these circumstances and we are keen to ensure we protect people from harm where possible.

“Of course we would never advocate anyone taking illegal substances, however, we understand there are people with addictions and it is important that they are warned about the batch of drugs which appears to be circulating in Swindon.

“If you are a drug user in the Swindon area, we encourage users  not to  use alone and to carry the opioid reversal drug naloxone and be aware  of the potentially fatal consequences .”

Anyone with any information, or concerns about drugs in their community, is urged to call police officers on 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.