HEALTH chiefs in Cumbria fear that deadly cocktails of street drugs such as cocaine and illegal pharmaceuticals are fuelling a surge in deaths.

Over the last month, the county has seen a worrying surge in suspected fatal drug overdoses, including two thought to have happened in Carlisle on consecutive days, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Figures show that the month’s toll of suspected drugs deaths has now reached 12 – more than three times the usual number.

The scale of the deaths – which have been reported also in south and west Cumbria - has prompted an urgent warning from senior health officials and Cumbria Police, who are now jointly investigating what may lie behind the tragedies.

Officials say an increasing number of drug users seem to be “unexpectedly overdosing” – often with fatal consequences. In Carlisle, police are investigating the sudden deaths of two men in their 50s this week alone.

The cause of death in each case yas yet to be confirmed.

Both lived in the Harraby area: one man died at a property in Allandale Road on May 23, and the other at Hillary Grove the following day. Police are working with Cumbria’s Coroner’s office to establish the cause of death in each case.

There are fears that drug users across Cumbria are putting themselves at greater risk by mixing controlled drugs such as heroin or cocaine with illegal fake pharmaceutical type drugs, often bought online.

“Sometimes, you do get random fluctuations in deaths but the number in Cumbria in the last month has been significantly higher,” said Colin Cox, the county's Director of Public Health.

“Normally, you would get between two and five drug-related deaths; but over the last month there have been 12 or 13. It hasn’t been in any one area; it’s been across the county – in the north, south and west.”

Mr Cox said one theory was that drug users were creating their own cocktails of drugs, mixing “pharmaceutical type drugs” which may have been bought online with controlled substances like heroin or cocaine.

“If they use different types of together, there can be interactions,” warned Mr Cox.

He stressed that all illicit drugs – both street drugs and those bought online – are devoid of any quality control and users have no way of knowing what they are taking. “It’s a risky business,” he said.

“We don’t know yet whether there’s a pattern but there’s a fair bit of investigation going on about it.” He stressed that there is help for people who want to tackle their substance misuse but warned those who are determined to keep using to avoid creating cocktails of such drugs because of the potentially fatal side effects.

“They shouldn’t take too many at once. Drug services in Cumbria are alerting users to try to make sure they are aware that this can happen.”

He added: “Sadly, people do die every month in Cumbria from drug overdoses, but the past month has been unusual, and while we do not yet know for certain all the deaths were drug related, we are concerned.

“I’m urging people to be careful and follow the advice being given; it could save your life.”

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cooper, of Cumbria Police, said: “Whilst it is too early to say with any degree of certainty what is leading to this increase in deaths, our intelligence picture is indicating that experienced drug users are overdosing unexpectedly.

“People are believed to be taking multiple different types of drugs – illegal controlled drugs and non-prescribed drugs– without any way of knowing how these drugs will react with one another.

”We have attended addresses following sudden deaths and recovered significant amounts of pharmaceutical drugs, with indications being that these drugs are being ordered online or bought from street dealers instead of prescribed by a medical professional.”

Buying anything online without knowing the source or seller comes with a significant risk– there is no way of knowing what you will get. Pills and medication normally prescribed by a qualified health professionals such as a GP should never be bought online without a properly conducted consultation.

Recovery Steps work across Cumbria to support people with drug and alcohol use issues. Area manager Becky White said: “Reducing the harm faced by people using substances is a priority for us.

“We we urge anyone who needs support with their drug or alcohol use, or knows someone who does, to contact Recovery Steps Cumbria for free and confidential advice.

“If you are going to use drugs there are several steps you can follow to reduce the risk, these include not using drugs alone, carrying naloxone and knowing how to use it, not mixing your drugs with other substances including alcohol, and calling 999 as soon as someone shows signs of an overdose.”

Officials have say the following signs may indicate that somebody has accidentally overdosed on drugs:

  • Reduced consciousness – not responding when shouted at.
  • Fitting (seizures).
  • Difficulty breathing (long pauses between breaths compared to normal).
  • Snoring/raspy breathing. 
  • Blue or pale lips, fingers or toes.
  • Pale, cold and clammy skin.

If the above happens, the advice is to stay calm, stay with the person and ring 999 immediately and follow instructions you are given.