Alert issued over drug which caused fatal overdose in Irish prison

The Irish Prison Service has issued an "urgent drug alert" about a synthetic opioid which it said was associated with overdoses in Irish prisons, one of which was fatal.

The prison service issued the nationwide warning about the "nitazene-type substance" last night (Thursday). It said this drug was typically found in pills or powder, often yellow tablets.

The substance has been analysed by the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory.

"The Irish Prison Service is working closely with the HSE in response to this detection of nitazene," it said in a statement.

"Nitazenes are strong synthetic opioids that can cause serious overdoses, hospitalisation, and drug-related death.

"Prison healthcare teams have adequate stocks of naloxone should clinical intervention be required.

"Extra vigilance is being taken across the prison estate and the Irish Prison Service has commenced an information campaign for prisoners around the dangers of consuming non-prescribed illegal drugs."

It added that there was a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and text line  (086 180 2449) in operation, and that prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of drugs into prisons could pass this information on in the strictest confidence.