TWO people in the Banff area died in suspected drugs-related incidents at the weekend.

20:38 TWO people in the Banff area died in suspected drugs-related incidents at the weekend. 0 Comments

A third person, also from the area, suffered a near fatal overdose.

Police investigating the cases believe all three were linked to the use of heroin.

The tragedies follow a warning, highlighted only days earlier in the 'Banffshire Journal', of the dangers of overdosing on a synthetic drug being passed off as heroin in the Aberdeen area and which claimed the life of a city drug user.

It remains uncertain whether the synthetic drug was involved in the latest deaths which happened between Friday and Saturday.

Inspector Andy Imray, Grampian Police substance misuse coordinator, said: "We would remind those in our communities who use heroin of the inherent dangers associated with taking any form of controlled drug. This has sadly become all too evident given the tragic loss of life in the Banff area over the past few days."

Anyone with information about the incidents or the misuse of drugs generally, has been urged to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In the warning to heroin users last week, it was revealed that a 40-year-old Torry man had died after taking the Class A drug Fentanyl, a white powder sometimes called 'White China'.

Inspector Imray said last week that he suspected users taking the drug believed they were taking heroin, of which there was currently a shortage. NHS Grampian also issued a warning.

Dr Maria Rossi, consultant in public health medicine, said: "Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used in medical and surgical settings and by prescription only.

"It can act very quickly and in small doses. Heroin users run a serious risk of overdose and death in using it illicitly."