Schools in London are being warned about green and blue pills being sold following the deaths of two people in suspected overdoses.
An investigation is under way into the “sudden” deaths of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman in Southall on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, Met Police confirmed.
The pair are believed to have died after taking an “illicit substance in the form of a green pill,” police said. No arrests have been made in connection with the deaths.
Drug checking charity The Loop warned that the pills contained nitazenes — synthetic opioids which they say can be 50 to 500 times stronger than heroin.
Following the deaths, nightclubs have started warning revellers of the threat from the highly-potent pills circulating in the capital, which have an “80” etched onto one side.
The public health alert has now extended to the schools.
Bromley Council is among local authorities now issuing warnings to schools, highlighting the serious danger posed by the pills.
A council spokesperson said, "In common with local authorities across London, given the seriousness of this sad incident, which has also been reported in the national media, we are sharing the public health advice for awareness, which is part of our routine processes in such circumstances.
“This advice is purely precautionary and to date there have been no known similar cases in our borough "
The message stresses that typical harm reduction advice—such as starting with a small dose—does not apply in this case, as even a tiny amount of the drug could be fatal.
📣♾️📣
— The Loop (@WeAreTheLoopUK) May 30, 2025
2 deaths last weekend in London were from pills confirmed as #nitazenes & similar to pills tested by The Loop.
They looked like oxys BUT it is not known what they were bought as.
Take care whatever pills you take.
Carry #naloxone, check in on friends & test if you can. pic.twitter.com/vMezWXds7V
It warns that anyone feeling unwell after taking drugs should seek medical help immediately, rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve with sleep or rehydration.
It advises people to have naloxone to hand if “you’re going to put yourself at risk”, as it works to reverse the effects of synthetic opioids such as heroin fentanyl.
Naloxone, which is sold under the brand name Narcan among others, is an opioid antagonist, used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids.
The message reads: “Over the Bank Holiday weekend, 2 people were found dead in Southall, Ealing, following attendance at a nightclub in South London on Saturday 24th May.
“They are thought to have consumed green pills with an '80' on one face and possibly an 'OP' on the other face but they were poorly made and faded.
“A picture is available above of remaining pills which were seized by police. We don’t know what type of drugs the people thought they were buying.”
Clubs in London, including The Cause and Fabric, have strongly advised partygoers not to engage in taking pills and to warn their friends about the dangers.
Earlier in the week, Ealing Council also issued a warning about the pills, explaining two people who took the unidentified pills had died. The council explained they had been together and were in Southall.
The local authority told residents: “Please remember, there is no way of knowing what is in any pill or drug that is bought illegally, or how your body will react.
“If you, or anyone you are with, starts to feel unwell after taking any pill or drug, go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department or call 999.
“Always seek medical attention and do not try to sleep it off or drink lots of water.”
