The warning follows the death of a 16-year old boy, believed to be drug-related, in Cork earlier this week.
A public health message has been issued by the HSE about a potentially deadly drug believed to be in circulation in Cork city.
The message was issued to people who use illicit drugs in the Cork city area and highlighted a drug known as U-47700, which may be in the form of white powder and may be sold as cocaine.
The message also sought to remind drug users that there is no guarantee that the drug you think you are buying and consuming is in fact the drug you are sold.
“We are aware that substances sold as cocaine may in fact contain other substances such as synthetic opioids,” the message read.
“There is no way of telling what is in a powder or pill just by looking at it. It may look like the drug you want to purchase but it may well be something else.
“There is no quality control on illegal drugs. There can be problems with purity and contaminants in all illegal drugs.
“It is always better not to take unknown or illicit drugs at all due to unwanted and serious medical and psychological side effects.”
Further advice about the dangers of illicit drugs can be read in the public health message here; for more information, you can call the HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline on 1800 459 459 or check out drugs.ie.
