Health officials in Somerset have issued a serious warning about blue pills being sold as Valium that may be contaminated with a potent opiate, increasing the risk of overdose. The Wellington Medical Centre received alerts from Public Health authorities regarding the presence of these pills in the local area.
The medical centre urges anyone using these drugs to avoid taking the pills altogether. If they do choose to take them, they are strongly advised not to be alone to ensure immediate help can be sought if symptoms of overdose appear.
A spokesperson from the Wellington Medical Centre stated: “We have received reports of blue pills sold as Valium in Somerset. These pills are likely contaminated with an opiate, which carries a significant risk of overdose.”
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Signs of an overdose include extreme drowsiness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and pinpoint pupils. Immediate medical attention is critical if any of these symptoms occur.
This warning follows recent drug-related deaths involving three men in Plymouth. Although it remains unclear if the blue pills linked to the Somerset warnings are the same as those in Plymouth, a local charity had previously cautioned against blue tablets sold as Valium. Public Health officials in Plymouth have indicated that preliminary tests on these tablets did not reveal unusual substances, but further toxicology results are still pending.