Drugs warning after three deaths

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Police are warning drug users in south Wales and the south west about a batch of contaminated or high purity drugs after three recent deaths.

A man from Blackwood, Caerphilly and two more from Bristol died over the weekend after taking what is believed to be a rogue batch of class A drugs.

Four other people suffered suspected drug overdoses.

The Gwent and Avon and Somerset forces are working with drugs services and hostels in Bristol to raise awareness.

Avon and Somerset Police aid the first two drug-related deaths, of one man believed to be his 20s and another in his 40s, took place in Bristol last Friday.

A 49-year-old man found dead at his home in Blackwood on Saturday is also believed to be drugs-related, according to Gwent Police.

We urge that individuals who use illicit drugs or have an illicit drug dependency contact local drug services for appropriate advice" Det Con Lyn Webber, Gwent Police

In Bristol, also on Saturday, a third man was found seriously ill in a flat in the St Judes area, very near where the two other men were found dead.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, is in a serious condition in the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Police say it is not known whether he has suffered an overdose or taken a rogue batch of Class A drugs.

Since the weekend three more people have been admitted to hospital in the Gwent force area suffering from suspected drug overdoses. They have all since been discharged.

Both police forces say they have alerted drug support agencies to the incidents to that appropriate advice can be given to drug users.

Drug dependency

Det Con Lyn Webber, substance misuse education officer for Gwent Police, said: "Avon and Somerset and Gwent Police are currently investigating these tragic deaths.

"We are concerned that they may be attributed to contaminated or high purity Class A drugs, however, this will not be determined until analysis has been carried out.

"We urge that individuals who use illicit drugs or have an illicit drug dependency contact local drug services for appropriate advice".

Officers would like to hear from anyone with information about either the deaths of the men or the supplier of the drugs to the people who were found seriously ill and admitted to hospital.

Anyone with information about the Bristol cases is asked to contact Bristol CID via the force non-emergency number 0845 456 7000.

Information about the Gwent cases should be given to the force control room on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.