Posted on 23rd January 2013
Derbyshire police have made four further arrests in connection with the deaths of a man and a woman over the Christmas period in the High Peak.
The 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman who died in Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith were suspected of having taken the illegal drug Ecstasy shortly before their death.
Fifteen arrests have now been made in connection with this investigation. A 21-year-old man, a 33-year-old-man, an 18-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, all from the High Peak area were arrested earlier today (Wednesday, January 23) in connection with the suspected supply of a class A drug.
The people who were previously arrested have been released on police bail pending further police investigations.
Detective Inspector Shaun McElheron of Buxton CID said: “There have been several other reported deaths in the North West in the last few weeks after the alleged taking of Ecstasy in pill format, and there has been much media speculation around this. To date we have not linked these deaths but as in all these cases police forces do compare forensic analysis.
“The police advice, which is supported by the drugs support networks, has always been that all illegal drugs can be dangerous and a buyer can never be certain as to exactly what they are taking. Our analysis of recovered drugs usually identifies a variety of compounds, most of which drug users would not take if they knew what was in them.
“A user cannot be sure of the strength of illegal drugs and when mixed with alcohol it can form a highly toxic combination.
“If anyone begins to feel unwell after taking illegal drugs they must seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity. Failing to do so could prove fatal.
“Derbyshire police have a long standing agreement with the ambulance service that if they are called to a suspected drugs overdose or a person feeling unwell after taking drugs that it will be treated as a medical emergency and the police are not contacted.
“We are aware from discussion with youngsters in the area that this is not always believed, but we would like to assure users that we will not intervene in any medical treatment. Our priority is saving lives. This must take precedence over investigating a crime.
“Many drug-related deaths could have been avoided if the person taking drugs or their friends and family called for medical assistance.”
Anyone who has information on drugs in the area should contact Derbyshire police using the non-emergency 101. To report crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.