A NEW batch of a drug nicknamed SnapChat has hospitalised several people in the Top End and police are warning partygoers to steer clear.
But it’s feared too many have been sold already.
It’s understood the ecstasy-based drug is potent, and at least four people who went to hospital took half a tablet before becoming seriously ill this week.
They were discharged from Royal Darwin Hospital this morning.
The drug is named after the smartphone photo-messaging app of the same name, popular with teenagers, and has the Snapchat ghost logo pressed on the top.
Police drug squad have been investigating and are warning people to be careful of the green tablets this Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Drug and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Clint Sims said there had been “a number” of incidents overnight.
“Police received a number of reports last night of people behaving in an erratic and irrational manner,” he said.
“These people appeared to become aggressive and disoriented after ingesting the drug and were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.
“The drug is described to be in pill-form and has been sold in two colours.
“One is pink and the other blue with green speckles.
“With the upcoming long weekend and a number of public events planned, our primary concern is that these contaminated pills will be distributed into the wider community.
“Taking any illicit drug is dangerous and potentially deadly.
“These drugs are not produced under pharmaceutical conditions and the reality is people have no idea what they are taking or worse, what affect it will have on them.
“The adverse and aggressive reactions people experience also places enormous pressure on emergency services.”
Security at the Summer Sessions event at Mindil Beach have been told to be vigilant in their searches on the door of the outdoor music festival on Saturday.
The NT Health Department is also concerned.
A friend of the men in hospital, who NT News has decided not to name, said:
“If you take it you will die.
