Cookie Control

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used.

Some cookies on this site are essential, and the site won't work as expected without them. These cookies are set when you submit a form, login or interact with the site by doing something that goes beyond clicking on simple links.

We also use some non-essential cookies to anonymously track visitors or enhance your experience of the site. If you're not happy with this, we won't set these cookies but some nice features of the site may be unavailable.

(One cookie will be set to store your preference)
(Ticking this sets a cookie to hide this popup if you then hit close. This will not store any personal information)

About this tool

About Cookie Control

VCSE organisations encouraged to support Bristol residents cope with new drugs coming into the city

Image Credit: 
Bristol 24/7
3 August, 2021

 

Bristol's health and community leaders are warning that a dangerously high-strength batch of drugs circulating locally has killed one person and hospitalised around twenty others. The ecstasy pills, which are blue and feature a Tesla logo, have been described as a “serious health risk” by Bristol City Council’s Director of Public Health, Christina Gray.  

Not only are the drugs particularly potent, they are being sold at lower than usual market rates, presumably to reach new potential users and exploit the inequalities already exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voscur supports the public health message to the city that help is available, both for immediate medical assistance in the event of a potential overdose, and in the form of longer-term support for addiction. Discussions with local venues and event organisers are ongoing, and we would encourage all relevant organisations to share appropriate safety messages to encourage mindfulness in the face of the additionally-strong drugs currently in circulation.  

VCSE organisations can help keep communities safe in three initial ways:

  1. To stay up to date with and contribute to the implementation Bristol’s Drug and Alcohol strategy, go to the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website to subscribe to updates and download resources for professionals.
  2. Look out on social media for public health materials to support local communities and share them with your networks.
  3. To contact local organisations working in the drug and alcohol sector, search the VCSE Directory on Voscur’s website.