The friends who died in Bolton after taking amphetamine on a night out are believed to have also taken a synthetic powder stimulant known as ‘Bubble’.
Emma Johnson, 21, was found dead at 1.30pm on Buttermere Road in Farnworth on Sunday.
At 2pm the same day, the body of Chris Goodwin, 30, was found on Littlebrooke Close, Tonge Moor.
Results from a toxicology test are expected later in the week, although Superintendent Phil Davies, based at Bolton Police Station, says the friends are believed to have taken a cocktail of alcohol, amphetamine and synthetic powder mix called ‘Bubble’.
“From what we have been told, we believe a party of five people had gone out in Bolton town centre before returning home,” he said.
“The group complained of feeling unwell and sadly two of the party, a 21-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, were found dead.
“While we know that both had taken drugs and alcohol, we cannot say this is the reason both have died until we get the results of toxicology tests or whether the drugs were contaminated.”
‘Bubble’ is understood to refer to the party drug mephedrone or similar white substances of unknown origin – often sold over the internet as ‘plant fertiliser’ or other powders labelled ‘not for human consumption’.
While police remain adamant these deaths are linked, they do not believe that they are connected with other drug-related deaths that have occurred in Greater Manchester or the rest of the country.
There have been a spate of deaths, with some in the North West area coming after people had taken pink ecstasy-like pills which were believed to be contaminated.
Supt Davies added: “I would always advise people not to take drugs as they do not come with a quality assurance stamp on them and you do not know what they contain.
“It is clear that the group had gone out to enjoy themselves however, the night out has ended in tragedy and two families have been left to deal with the devastating deaths of their loved ones.
“If anyone has recently taken drugs and feels ill, I would ask you to go to hospital for a check-up as soon as possible.”
For more information on the effect drugs can have on you, visit the website www.boltondrinkanddrugs.org.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
