Young revellers across Crewe and Nantwich are being warned of the dangers of drug PMA after the death of a teenager in the county.
It is feared 16-year-old Cheshire student Ellie Jones may have died from an overdose on PMA.
Traces of the drug were found in her system from initial toxicology tests.
And if it is confirmed as the cause, it will bring the number of deaths across Cheshire associated to the drug to four this year.
Cheshire Police is working with partners in health, schools, colleges and drug agencies to warn people about the dangers ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
PMA (Paramethoxyamphetamine) is an amphetamine which comes in tablet, powder and crystal form, and is not absorbed as quickly as other drugs.
This means users have been known to take excessive amounts in the mistakenly belief it is not taking effect.
It is an illegal substance and possession, use or selling the drug is a criminal offence.
Supt Martin Cleworth said: “Ellie’s death shocked everyone and now we have the initial toxicology results back indicating she had taken PMA.
“We have a duty to warn people about the potentially fatal consequences taking this drug can have and would urge people to obtain urgent medical assistance on behalf of anyone suspected to have taken PMA who suffers difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, nausea or starts to vomit.
“This is the fourth death we have had this year in Cheshire alone that is associated to PMA, and we are working together with our partners in health, colleges,schools and drug agencies to get warnings out to as many people as possible.
“If anyone has any information about who may be supplying this fatal drug across Cheshire I would urge them to contact police, or alternaltively call Crimestoppers anonymously so we can continue to do all we can to remove them from our streets and prevent anyone else going through the heartache Ellie’s family have gone through.”
Ellie, from Warrington, was taken to hospital experiencing breathing difficulties shortly after 3.30am on Saturday May 18. She died a short time later.
Six people have been arrested in connection with the death and have been bailed pending inquiries.
Anyone with any information about the supply and distribution of the drug is urged to call police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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