NI officials warn of contaminated drug in circulation

An island-wide alert has gone out after a spate of admissions to Belfast hospitals of people suffering from contaminated ecstacy tablets.

Four young people have been admitted with serious reactions and others are being asked to seriously consider the effects on their health of taking illegal drugs.

The North's Drug and Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator Jo Daykin says her message to young people was that every time they take ecstasy they are dicing with death.

Anyone concerned that they may have taken a contaminated tablet should first seek help from their family doctor.

But in the case of an emergency, they should go to hospital immediately.