The HSE has issued an urgent warning to heroin users following a number of overdoses in Dublin Thursday.
The alert was issued by the HSE National Social Inclusion Office to people who use heroin in the Dublin region following a number of overdoses on Thursday, November 9.
The HSE said they believe the cluster of overdoses in the city could be related to potentially new sources of heroin and they are monitoring the situation.
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This comes after reports that at least 13 people, and possibly up to 20, have been hospitalised over the last 24 hours due to a "bad batch" of heroin in Dublin city.
The HSE issued advice to all homeless and addiction services as well as people who use heroin, warning them not to buy drugs form a new source and to avoid buying new batches of heroin as there is currently an increased risk.
Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, said: “We are aware of a number of overdoses occurring in Dublin city today relating to potential new sources of heroin.
"We are working closely with service providers, An Garda Síochána and the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory to obtain as much information on this emerging situation.
“We ask that people are extra cautious during this period while we identify what may be leading to overdoses. We ask service providers to notify their service users who may be at increased risk and help support them to reduce harms during this time.
"We will update services and people who use drugs following analytical confirmation of samples obtained which will help clarify the situation. At present, this issue appears contained to the Dublin City area but we will continue to monitor and update as necessary.”
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