HSE issues red alert as scores of young people die after taking dubious pills sold across the country

Several people across the country have already died after taking deadly yellow tablets.

It appears that the victims were mainly young people who had overdosed.

The HSE has issued a nationwide red alert confirming that the yellow tablets containing nitaze-like substances have been sold as benzodiazepines and are linked to clusters of overdoses in Ireland.

A statement said: “While we suspect a small number of deaths may have been linked to these tablets, we cannot confirm any deaths without specific post-mortem toxicology confirmation from the coroner.

“If you or someone you know is currently at risk, we strongly recommend that you do not use these substances as they are now at additional risk.

“We also advise people to contact addiction services or their GP if they are experiencing problems related to addiction.”

According to the HSE, Nitazenes are powerful synthetic opioids, often as potent or stronger than fentanyl.

They are sold as a substitute for existing controlled opioids and can be sold as heroin or used to adulterate heroin.

They are also used to make counterfeit opioid and benzodiazepine drugs.

The HSE warned that taking medicines containing synthetic opioids, such as nitasenes, could cause serious harm, including life-threatening poisoning.

The European Union Medicines Agency has noted an increase in the number of benzodiazepine tablets containing nitasenes in Europe.

This increase is accompanied by a significant increase in the seizure of counterfeit, lethal pills.

Among the dead was a 21-year-old inmate at Mountjoy Prison, Adam D’Arcy.

He was serving a two-year prison sentence for drug trafficking.

Terrified prisoners, fearing they too would overdose, later handed over hundreds of tablets to prison authorities.