Police are reminding members of the public about the dangers of illicit drugs after 11 people were admitted to hospital in Waratah for alleged overdoses over the weekend, NSW Police say.
Between 11pm on Friday 6 October 2017 and 9pm on Monday 9 October 2017, 10 men and a woman were hospitalised following a suspected overdose.
The admissions are believed to be related to ingesting a blue tablet, bearing a Superman ‘S’ symbol.
Newcastle City Duty Officer Inspector Shane Buggy issued a warning to the community against taking illicit drugs, particularly in the lead up to several festivals occurring in the Newcastle area in the coming months.
"This is another clear example of the dangers of taking illicit drugs," he said.
"You never know what it is in the pill you are about to take or what it may or may not contain. You will never know how your own body may react with any substance you might take; whether you have consumed illicit substances before or not.
"There is no such thing as a bad batch. These pills are made by criminals in backyard labs and might be sold as one substance but are actually another.
"People need to consider these things before they risk their physical well-being. This could have been a tragedy; thank goodness it wasn't. We can only hope those involved are fine but also learn a lesson."
Anyone with information regarding the source of these tablets is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
