Police in Telford have issued a warning over 'bad batch' of a dangerous drug, amid concerns it has killed one man and left a woman in a life-threatening condition.
A mother from Shropshire has been banned from driving for three years after taking to the road while under the influence of party drug GHB.
A member of the renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir has admitted charges linked to the lethal party drug GHB in Oswestry.
Police have dismissed fears the lethal party drug GHB is on the increase again in Oswestry. The assurance was given by Inspector Jim Stafford.
A massive drugs raid this year has helped to curb an increase in the availability and use of the potentially fatal drug GHB in Oswestry, a police officer said today. A massive drugs raid this year has helped to curb an increase in the availability and use of the potentially fatal drug GHB in Oswestry, a police officer said today. Inspector Jim Stafford has revealed the presence of the Class C drug GHB in the town has been 'sustained' after police carried out the operation in April this year. The town was once earmarked as a hot spot for the drug, which is a clear liquid that can be hard to detect in drinks because it looks like water and has no smell. Mr Stafford said: "Following on from a massive drugs raid in April the reduction in availability and use in the town has sustained but if trends start again we will do it again. [24link]
Pubs and clubs in Oswestry have been handed GHB tester kits for their premises in a bid to combat the use of the potentially lethal illegal drug. Pubs and clubs in Oswestry have been handed GHB tester kits for their premises in a bid to combat the use of the potentially lethal illegal drug. The town is a hotspot for the class C drug and Oswestry Pubwatch members, who met yesterday, have been given the kits to help tackle the problem. GHB is a clear liquid that can be hard to detect in drinks because it looks like water and has no smell. The kits use a litmus paper which can identify the liquid drug.
Police in Oswestry are winning the battle against the illegal drug GHB, through a concerted effort including other authorities, the detective leading the fight said today. Police in Oswestry are winning the battle against the illegal drug GHB, through a concerted effort including other authorities, the detective leading the fight said today. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, the head of CID in Shropshire, said there had been a "marked improvement" in reducing the levels of use of the class C drug. But he warned there would be no let up by the police and its partner agencies in targeting those manufacturing and supplying GHB and its component drug GBL.
An expert drug officer from the Dutch police has begun work with Oswestry officers to help tackle the town's GHB problem. An expert drug officer from the Dutch police has begun work with Oswestry officers to help tackle the town's GHB problem. The partnership was launched as the detective leading the fight against the drug in Shropshire revealed there was a "dearth" in its supply in the town amid hopes a clampdown by police on the supply of the drug was having an effect. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said it seemed the message was getting out that police in Shropshire were taking a zero tolerance policy. And he added that police would continue using various tactics, including raids on homes, to cut the supply of the potentially lethal drug.
Shropshire's council leader today urged people to continue to support Oswestry amid fears they may stop visiting the town because of its reputation for having one of the highest uses of the drug GHB in the country.Shropshire's council leader today urged people to continue to support Oswestry amid fears they may stop visiting the town because of its reputation for having one of the highest uses of the drug GHB in the country. Councillor Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council leader, stressed today the town was still a safe and enjoyable place to enjoy a night out. And other councillors representing the town have joined forces to support the work being done to tackle GHB use. Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police and other support services are working with the community to raise awareness and reduce the risk posed by the spread of the drug. Councillor Barrow, who represents Oswestry South, said: "It's important people stay aware and know the dangers of GHB, but, despite the current concerns about this particular drug, it is only a small minority of people using the drug, and I want to reassure people that we are working hard to minimise its impact." [24link]
Users of the drug GHB could suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they trying coming off it without medical supervision, they were warned today.
A Shrewsbury man found dead in his bedroom died from the effects of the drug GHB, an inquest has heard. A Shrewsbury man found dead in his bedroom died from the effects of the drug GHB, an inquest has heard. Today the family of Gareth Jones urged others not to use the drug. Mr Jones, 29, was found in the house in Bridgeford Way, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, last October. Toxicology tests discovered large amounts of the Class C drug GHB. His stepfather Clive Griffiths said the family did not want to see any other deaths caused by the drug. [24link]
Pubs and clubs in Oswestry may get GHB tester kits in a bid to combat the use of the illegal drug. Pubs and clubs in Oswestry may get GHB tester kits in a bid to combat the use of the illegal drug. The town has been highlighted as one of the UK's hotspots for the class C drug and The Oswestry Pubwatch group met yesterday to discuss how it could help tackle the problem. Oswestry publicans welcomed the idea of the tester kits after Shropshire Young People's Substance Misuse team spokesman Roy Terrill visited the meeting to talk about the drug.
The dangers of taking GHB will be highlighted by students in Oswestry tomorrow.
SHROPSHIRE MP Owen Paterson today urged the Government to reclassify the drug GHB after it was linked to two deaths in the county. SHROPSHIRE MP Owen Paterson today urged the Government to reclassify the drug GHB after it was linked to two deaths in the county. Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paterson, who is MP for North Shropshire,said today he will contact Home Secretary Theresa May urging her to consider upgrading the drug from Class C to Class B. The move comes after Mr Paterson met some of the county's top police officers to discuss the problem. Mr Paterson said: "I am told that the drug is extremely addictive and is being linked to two deaths in Oswestry, where it appears that there may be tens or even hundreds of people taking the drug on a regular basis. "However, the drug is still classed only as Grade C." For the full story, log in to the premium 24 website
No charges have yet been brought following a high-profile raid to crackdown on the drug GHB in Shropshire. No charges have yet been brought following a high-profile raid to crackdown on the drug GHB in Shropshire. Police arrested 13 people yesterday after more than 100 officers swooped on seven homes in Oswestry and one at Westbury, near Shrewsbury. Today Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said 11 people have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
