Cops warning over ‘poisonous’ wave of MDMA pills after teen death on Bonfire night
The teen died in the early hours of yesterday morning after allegedly taking the party pill at Newcastle’s Warehouse 34
COPS have issued an urgent warning over a poisonous wave of MDMA pills following the tragic death of an 18-year-old woman.
The teenager died in the early hours of yesterday morning after allegedly taking the party pill at Newcastle’s Warehouse 34.
Following her death, three men have been arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.
The venue was hosting one of its popular Shindig events when the incident took place.
And police officers investigating her death are now concerned that others may have taken the same kind of ecstasy pill.
She was one of hundreds of clubbers enjoying the night at Hoults Yard, Byker, on Bonfire Night, where revellers had paid £18-£20 for the Knee Deep In Newcastle event featuring People Get Real, Cristoph, Santé and Hot Since 82.
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The party finished at 4am, and emergency services were called at 4.40am after the teenager was taken ill.
Her condition deteriorated further in hospital where she eventually died.
In a statement yesterday, the Shindig team said: “Everyone involved in last night’s event is extremely devastated about the tragic death of the young girl who died in hospital in the early hours of this morning.
“Shindig Events and Hoults Yard are currently working very close with the police and medical services to understand more about the circumstances surrounding the incident but would like to send our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.”
The woman has not been named by police, who are yet to inform her family.
Social media reacted in shock at news of teenager’s death yesterday.
Writing on Twitter, Scott Burnett said: “Devastating news waking up to see a young lass died at Shindig last night, proper brutal.”
Hannah Colwill wrote simply “tragic” and Daniel Herron said: “Hopefully one day pill testing at events will be standard.”
Chief Inspector Phil McConville said: "The initial police investigation into this young woman's death indicates that she may have taken some kind of drug and had a fatal reaction to the substance.
"We believe it may have been MDMA and we need anyone else who was at this nightclub and who may have taken any drugs to go to hospital immediately and get checked out.";
The Students for Sensible Drug Policy in Newcastle launched a safety campaign earlier this year to make drug-testing kits available.
Last week a report claimed that females are at greater risk from MDMA because of the hormones in their body.
The Global Drugs Survey said that the past three years have seen a four-fold increase in women seeking emergency care after taking ecstasy.
It also warned that today's pills were stronger than ever.
Adam Winstock, director of the group, said MDMA causes the body to retain water and the female hormone oestrogen impairs the ability to pump it out, leading to swelling cells causing damage to the brain.
He also said that women are less likely to buy their own drugs so might not know what they are taking.
MDMA is popular with clubbers and its psychoactive effects on the brain include feelings of euphoria and heightened sensation.