Warnings have continued to be issued of a super-strength MDMA pill called "The Punisher".
In 2018 the tragic death of 14-year-old Bethany Devlin-McCrone was linked to the dangerously high dosage drug being sold for pocket money prices. "Loving and caring" Bethany was found dead after police were called to a house in Greasby, Wirral in the early hours of July 25 2018.
Merseyside Police said at the time it believed the school pupil died after an "adverse reaction" to a controlled drug. It was later revealed Bethany died of "MDMA poisoning".
READ MORE: Face of kidnapper who was stabbed after abducting 12-year-old boy
Warnings were issued following the schoolgirl's death as fears emerged that pupils had access to buy pills, reported as containing a high dose, for as little as £5 each.
Just last year drug analysts found what was believed to be the world's strongest-ever ecstasy pill in a nightclub in Manchester. The "Blue Punisher" pill was tested by MANDRAKE drug analysis lab at Manchester Metropolitan University. The pills were found to contain 477mg of MDMA - four to five times the usual dose found in ecstasy pills.
But what is the tablet, and what do parents need to know?
What do they look like?
Like many "brands" of ecstasy tablets, the Punisher pills have a distinctive colour, shape and marking. Triangular in shape, the pills are a distinctive blue colour that can be quite common for MDMA. The Punisher pills bear the skull mask logo of the Marvel character, The Punisher.
What are they made of?
The blue pills contain a very high dosage of MDMA, or methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, also known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a synthetic drug that became popular in the nightclub and rave scenes or the late eighties and nineties.
Punisher pills reportedly are usually three times as strong a regular ecstasy pills with drug awareness charity The Loop claiming that the tablets contain 300mg of MDMA. Certain pills can even be four to five times the usual pill dose.
What effects can they have?
MDMA can alter people's moods and perception and is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens. The tablets can produce feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception - according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
The drug increases the activity of brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, causing positive and pleasurable feelings. When abused or taken in high quantities however, MDMA and Punisher pills can cause extreme illness and in extreme cases, even death.
In May 2018, two people died after taking ecstasy while attending Portsmouth's Mutiny Festival. A number of clubbers also collapsed in Bournemouth two months before after taking the synthetic drug. Police said the pair were treated for "serious side effects" sparking fears that a gang was peddling the high dosage stimulant in the town's clubland.
How are people buying them?
The majority of reports of Punisher pills being sold are through traditional channels. A number of finds were made at festivals across the country where drug dealers will sneak them in and sell them.
There is now fears that as younger children become more aware of the drugs, that dealers will find new ways to market it. One teenager previously told the ECHO that some people have even been buying them off Snapchat, for as little as £5 each.
The teen said: “It is really easy to get hold of. You just ask the older kids and they will give you (a dealer's) Snapchat or a number.”
How to tell if your child has bought or taken the Punisher and what to do
Drug awareness website Narconon lists a number of signs to look out for if you believe your child has bought or is using MDMA. Parents should look out for small, coloured pills in pockets or bags that bear logos and look like sweets.
Signs of MDMA usage could include an irregular sleeping schedule or a lack of pain awareness. If your child becomes unwell and you suspect they might be under the influence of the Punisher you should take them to hospital immediately and inform police so they can investigate where the drugs have come from.
Advice from police
Officers from Merseyside Police previously advised parents on what they should do to avoid any more children falling victim to drugs. Chief inspector Nick Gunatilleke told the Echo in 2018: “We would ask every single parent, talk to your children.
“When they are having sleepovers, when they are with their friends, when they are going to parties, when they are going to the park, talk to your children. Give them the confidence to say no...We've heard in the past that young children will split a pill in half because they think that will make them safe.
"What we would say is that you do not know what is in that drug. You do not know what effect it is going to have on your body. There is no such thing as a safe way to take illegal drugs and we need parents to speak to their children and say 'these are the risks'."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
Drunken burglar stole and ate children's chocolate in 24hr crime spree
Boy, 10, with ASBO tried to become gang boss but got stabbed 27 times
Burglar chatted to bar staff before nicking booze worth £200
Dad whose cold sore kiss killed son launched vile attack on ex partner
'Show off driver' who left teen with fractured skull fails in bid to get licence back
