Public health chiefs have issued a health warning over suspected counterfeit Valium which has been implicated in the deaths of three men in Plymouth over the weekend.

Police were called to a property in Welbeck Avenue on Saturday afternoon after concerns were reaised for the welfare of two men. Emergency services attended and the two men were found dead.

The men were aged in their 20s and 30s respectively. The following a day, the third man, aged in his 30s, was found dead at a property in North Road East. Detectives highlighted concerns that the deaths were all drug related and Harbour, Plymouth’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, issued an alert on Sunday evening warning that the three men died after taking blue pills.

They suspected that the pills were advertised as Valium. Plymouth’s public health officials have today confirmed that the blue tablets were “being sold illegally as Valium”. In addition they warned that the tablets may come in blister packs with Arabic writing.

Professor Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health for Plymouth City Council, said: “Any loss of a life is a tragedy, and we want to prevent it happening to anyone else. We’re very concerned about these tablets.

Potentially lethal – a batch of ‘Blues/Blue Valium’
(Image: Paul Chappells / Daily Record)

“We cannot currently speculate about the content of these drugs whilst they are being tested, but we do want people to be aware. They might look like Valium, but they could be contaminated with another substance and therefore more toxic. If you or someone you know has these tablets, do not take them.”

In 2019 PlymouthLive highlighted the dangers of a batch of blue tablets in circulation in Exeter and Plymouth which were linked to a number of deaths and hospitalisations of drug users. At the time Public Health Devon issued a similar warning about tablets which were causing “severe harm in Exeter among experience[d] drug users using ‘blues/Blue Valium’.

Users reported the ‘blue pills’ had “caused them to become violent, mouths turn blue, they’ve overdosed” but they “don’t remember anything” afterwards.

Those tablets were forwarded to Devon and Cornwall Police and forensic examination revealed that the drugs were not officially Valium tablets but another drug in the benzodiazepine family – alprazolam – which often goes under the trade name Xanax.

Xanax – Alprazolam – is an anti-anxiety medicine, similar to Valium but according to drug advisory website Frank it is “about 20 times stronger and has a quicker, shorter-acting effect”.

The Frank website warned: “Like other benzos, long-term use could mean you become physically dependent on it and then suffer withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

“Alprazolam can also cause blackouts and put you at greater risk of being taken advantage of sexually. If you mix it with alcohol you’re at a big risk of overdose caused by heart and breathing problems – and this can lead to death.”

Blue Valium tablets are being circulated in Exeter
‘Street’ Valium tablets are known to leave blue staining on the tongue and lips
(Image: Paul Chappells / Daily Record)

In 2016 national newspapers reported how lethal ‘Street Valium’ was being made by Chinese gangsters. The tablets, many of which were found across Scotland, were so full of food dye they stained users lips and mouths blue.

Described as “street Valium” or “blues” they were bought over the internet from manufacturers in countries like China and Pakistan and sold for as little as 10p a tablet. The blue dye was used to mimic the blue of Valium.

At the time drug counsellors in Ayrshire, who first highlighted their concerns, noted how nine people had died in just two weeks in June 2016. It was believed the ‘blues’ were being taken alongside heroin, methadone and powerful prescription painkillers such as gabapentin and pregabalin. Within a few weeks more reports came from diazepam hotspots including Glasgow, Inverclyde, Dundee and Lanarkshire.

At the time there was criticism by drug counsellors of the Scottish Government and Police Scotland for failing to say anything official about the issue. The following year the BBC Scotland broadcast a documentary about fake Valium being so freely available across the region it was ‘cheaper than chips’. This followed the deaths of six people within nine months, all linked to suspected fake Valium tablets.

What to do if someone becomes unwell:

If someone has taken drugs and becomes unwell, call 999 straight away or take them to Derriford Hospital ’s Emergency Department. Don’t wait—doctors and nurses are there to help, not to judge.

If the person is unconscious but breathing, put them in the recovery position. This helps keep their airway clear. You can find more advice on the FRANK website.

Reducing the risk:

The safest option is not to take these pills at all. But if you do choose to use drugs:

* Don’t use alone. Being with someone else could save your life.

* Take a small amount first and wait to see how it affects you.

* Don’t all take drugs at the same time—stagger your use so someone is always alert.

* If you’re using alone, tell someone your plans or use the BuddyUp app by Cranstoun so someone can check on you.

* Carry naloxone if you can. It’s a medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses, and it won’t harm someone even if they haven’t taken opioids. Having naloxone nearby could save a life. In some cases, more than one dose is needed, so carrying extra is a good idea.

Naloxone – known by many as a heroin overdose antidote kit

You can get naloxone for free in Plymouth from:

Harbour, Hyde Park House, Mutley

Hamoaze House, Mount Wise

North Road West Medical Centre

Adelaide Street GP Surgery

St Levan GP Surgery

A person taking blue Valium tablets

Det Insp Michelle Dunn from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are currently investigating the unexplained deaths of three men in Plymouth which occurred over the weekend.

“At this time, the deaths are believed to be drug related and we are working closely with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances.

“Anyone with information which may assist police is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting reference 50250144278.”

Want to learn more or get support?

NAP Plymouth runs free monthly training on drugs and naloxone for anyone supporting people who use drugs. Find them on Facebook at NAP Plymouth 66 or email [email protected]

If you’re looking for help with your own drug use, contact Harbour on 01752 434343 or visit harbour.org.uk.

Hamoaze House offers support for anyone affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Their Affected Others group meets every Friday from 1–3pm. Call 01752 566100 to get in touch.

Anyone with information about these pills are asked to contact police through their website , or call 101.