The Irish Prison Service Issues Urgent Drug Alert

Sunday, 21 July 2024 12:47

By Tara Flanagan

The drug nitazene has been linked to overdoses

This week, The Irish Prison Service (IPS) issued an urgent drug alert to all prisons following HSE analysis confirming the presence of a nitazene type substance, associated with overdoses in Mountjoy.

In one case the substance is believed to have caused the death of a prisoner, with two other prisoners in a serious condition.

While the official cause will be determined by the Coroner, the IPS has launched an urgent information campaign which has led to a number of suspected nitazene tablets being surrendered.

The prison healthcare teams say they've adequate stocks of medicine should clinical intervention be required, with extra vigilance being taken.

It's understood the IPS is conducting a review of all medical presentations in Mountjoy Prison in recent days to establish if any other medical incidents are related to the drug.

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