Teen dies after being suspected of taking ecstasy - The Solihull Observer

Teen dies after being suspected of taking ecstasy

Solihull Editorial 2nd Jul, 2019   0

THE DEATH of a teenager suspected of taking ecstasy has prompted a warning to drug users from Warwickshire Police.

The 17-year-old from Stratford was one of five teenage boys taken to hospital after it is thought they took the drug in the town at the weekend.

Emergency services were called to Wetherby Way in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 30).

The teenager, who has not been named, is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest and died just after 4.30am.




The four other boys have since been discharged.

Two 17-year-old boys have been arrested, both on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply. One from Stratford has been released under investigation while inquiries continue. The other, from Bidford, remains in police custody.


Police believe the teenagers may have taken MDMA – also known as ecstasy – and say it may have been an overdose or bad batch of the drug.

They are advising drug users to be on their guard.

Det Insp Lisa Sears said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.

“At this time, we believe the boys may have taken a type of a drug called ‘Mandy’, a type of MDMA, also known as ecstasy. We are keeping an open mind as to whether this was a bad batch of drugs, a bad reaction or an overdose.

“While we are investigating to establish how the boy died we would urge drug users to be very cautious.

“While we can’t yet confirm cause of death, we would like to remind people of the dangers of taking drugs. There is no safe way of taking drugs, and no way of knowing exactly what you are putting into your body and whether it is safe.”

The death comes just days after a 19-year-old’s death in the Isle of Wight was linked to a strong strain of ecstasy tablets known as ‘punisher’.

Harley Girven’s death was described as ‘unexplained’ by Hampshire Constabulary but the force warned people against taking the blue, triangular tablets which have about three times the amount of MDMA as usual pills.

A 14-year-old girl from Merseyside also died after taking the super-strength drug in 2018.

Anyone with information can call 101 to speak to police or ring 0800 555 111 to speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.

Visit www.talktofrank.com for help on quitting drugs.

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