NINE teenagers in the Ellesmere Port area were taken to hospital after taking a class C prescription drug.

Ellesmere Port police are now investigating following the incidents, which saw the youths take the sedative Xanax, also known as alprazolam.

Officers were made aware of nine teenagers who had been taken to hospital as a precaution after taking the class C drug, which can lead to drug addiction and blackouts, and is potentially lethal if mixed with alcohol.

The nine teenagers have all since been discharged.

Inspector Ian Stead said: “Taking prescription drugs can be dangerous when they have not been prescribed for you by a medical professional.

“We are currently trying to establish the circumstances of what has happened and I would urge anyone who has any information to call the team hear at Ellesmere Port on 101 quoting IML 369870.”

A BBC report earlier this year said misuse of anxiety drugs Xanax had been linked to more than 200 deaths in the UK since 2015, with an alarming rise in the number of counterfeit Xanax bars.

  • For further information about the dangers of Xanax, visit FRANK: www.talktofrank.com/news/dangers-xanax-misuse.