Urgent drug warning about blue and yellow pills linked to deaths in Greater Manchester

A warning has been issued after dangerous pills began circulating containing a substance that has caused 200 deaths this year.

Greater Manchester Drug Alert Panel says the two round pills, one blue marked 'M' on one side and '30' on the other, and an unmarked yellow one, were available online.

Tests revealed both contained N-desethyl isotonitazene, from a group of synthetic opioids known as nitazenes.

More than 200 people have died in the last year after drugs sold as heroin, oxycodone, diazepam (street Valium), and a variety of other street drugs were laced with nitazenes.

The pills were found at the scene of a death in Greater Manchester and it is believed that both pills were obtained online.

Manchester Drug Analysis & Knowledge Exchange (MANDRAKE) says drug deaths are the highest ever recorded and the current illicit drug market has never been more dangerous.

They urge users not to mix drugs and not to take them alone.

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