Warnings issues over “dangerous” batch of ketamine circulating around Liverpool

Hand holding amphetamine in plastic pack on black background. Dangerous drug. addictive substance. narcotic concept. Credit: Wing-wing via GETTY

Merseyside Police have issued warnings over a “dangerous” batch of ketamine that has been circling around Liverpool.

Authorities issued the warning after three different men suffered seizures on Saturday (March 30) following the consumption of ketamine at a premises on Fleet Street around 5am.

According to the Merseyside Police (per Mixmag), the men were taken to the hospital with two remaining in care until roughly 1pm – one remained in stable condition while the other received treatment from the doctors. The third man was discharged from the hospital.

In a statement, Detective Inspector Ruth Tickle shared: “We have had recent reports of a dangerous batch of ketamine being sold in bars in our city and we are determined to help young people understand the harmful effects and risks of the associated drug.”

A Belgian customs officer presents shows Ketamine hidden in a flower pot during a press conference. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)
A Belgian customs officer presents shows Ketamine hidden in a flower pot during a press conference. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

She continued: “I would urge young people to learn more about the impact and signs of ketamine and report any use of the drug to our officers so we can keep you and your friends safe in our city.

“If you are concerned about your own use of ketamine or other drugs or alcohol, or you are concerned about somebody else, there are support services available.”

In other news, harm reduction services have recently issued warnings about fake and laced benzo “crisis”, which could lead to a “fentanyl-style epidemic”.

According to harm reduction services Pill Report and The Loop, the UK is currently facing an increase of fake and laced benzos (most commonly known in the form of Xanax or Valium). Pill Report has claimed that 47.1% of American clubbers aged 18 to 29 have used “non-prescribed” benzo-like drugs in the last four months.

However, they warn that recently, street benzos can contain alternative compounds, one of which they describe as a “super-strength opioid”. Most notably, two compounds have come to their attention: Bromazolam, a medication that has since failed to be approved for usage, and nitazene, a synthetic opioid that they allege is “around 1000x the strength of heroin”.

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