Black Mamba warning following death of seven men in the West Midlands
A warning has been issued after the deaths of seven men – possibly linked to former legal high Black Mamba.
Drug workers in the West Midlands have been sent an alert after the incidents last week.
Public Health England West Midlands confirmed it is investigating the deaths, which happened across Birmingham and the Black Country.
A spokesman said: "We have issued an alert to local commissioners and local services in Birmingham after learning of seven fatalities in vulnerable people in the last few days, which may be related to drug use.
“One individual’s death is confirmed as being caused by use of a potent batch of synthetic cannabinoids.
“There is no evidence, as yet, to suggest that the other six deaths are linked, or are as a result of taking this substance.
“However the number of deaths, their proximity and the short timescale has led PHE to alert local services as a precautionary measure and ask them to provide PHE with any local intelligence.”
