This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-43600584

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Black Mamba warning after seven Birmingham deaths Black Mamba warning after seven Birmingham deaths
(12 days later)
A warning has been issued after the deaths of seven men which may be linked to former legal high Black Mamba.A warning has been issued after the deaths of seven men which may be linked to former legal high Black Mamba.
Drug workers in the West Midlands were sent an alert after "a cluster" of incidents in a short period last week.Drug workers in the West Midlands were sent an alert after "a cluster" of incidents in a short period last week.
Public Health England (PHE) confirmed it is investigating the deaths, which happened across Birmingham and the Black Country. Public Health England (PHE) sent out an alert about the deaths, which happened across Birmingham and the Black Country.
West Midlands Police confirmed one death, at a city centre hostel, was linked to Black Mamba. Police confirmed one death, at a city centre hostel, was linked to the drug, also known as spice or mamba.
A second death, also at the hostel, is believed to be drug-related.A second death, also at the hostel, is believed to be drug-related.
Lethal doseLethal dose
Black Mamba mimics the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. The drug mimics the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis.
PHE said "an alert was sent out to commissioners of services and outreach drug workers," following the deaths.PHE said "an alert was sent out to commissioners of services and outreach drug workers," following the deaths.
A man in his 30s died in the city centre last April after taking a lethal dose of the drug.A man in his 30s died in the city centre last April after taking a lethal dose of the drug.
Trident Group, who run the hostel in the city centre, where two men died, said it was working with local authorities.Trident Group, who run the hostel in the city centre, where two men died, said it was working with local authorities.
"Our condolences go out to the families at this time."Our condolences go out to the families at this time.
"We are currently working with the local authorities, the police, and others, responding to ongoing investigations and difficulties that are being experienced in the city.""We are currently working with the local authorities, the police, and others, responding to ongoing investigations and difficulties that are being experienced in the city."
There is also an unconfirmed report of a prisoner dying at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green.There is also an unconfirmed report of a prisoner dying at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green.
Black Mamba was among a raft of so-called legal highs which were outlawed when the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect in 2016. The drug was among a raft of so-called legal highs which were outlawed when the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect in 2016.