A POLICE commissioner says investigations are ongoing and are being intensified into how youngsters are getting hold of drugs after the deaths of three teenagers in North Yorkshire.

Julia Mulligan, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, revealed a lot of current data on drugs is outdated, concentrating on past problems with illegal substances such as cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

She told a public accountability meeting las week: “I am extremely keen to have a look at the drugs market, what is being sold to teenagers in our county and what are they taking and how are they getting hold of it.

"Some data is out of date and focuses on cannabis, heroin and cocaine when in fact the deaths that we have had are due to MDMA, (also known as ecstasy).

“There is a lot of work to do on this and I am keen that we work with partners to understand the issues we have got.

The Northern Echo:

North Yorkshire crime commissioner Julia Mulligan

“This is a subject I am extremely concerned about.

"Last year, I convened a drug summit in North Yorkshire with all of the partners involved – police, health, education and local authorities – and I think it is really important parents have the information they need to keep their children safe.”

In the latest tragedy on September 27 North Yorkshire Police reported that Josh Reeson, 15, from New Earswick, York, who had been found by a member of the public in the Hospital Fields area of the city, died in hospital after taking illegal drugs.

Six people aged from 14 to 37 were arrested, and four were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Josh’s death followed that of 15-year-old Leah Heyes from Northallerton in May last year after she was given ecstasy, and the death of a 14-year-old girl in Scarborough in May this year.

The Northern Echo:

Leah Heyes died after collapsing in a Northallerton car park

She had been given a suspected overdose of ecstasy at a party. A 13-year-old girl who was also at the party was treated in hospital.

Two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of offences at Scarborough involving the supply of Class A drugs and police investigations are continuing.

Leah died in James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough after being found collapsed in the Applegarth car park. Two teenagers aged 18 and 19 are due to appear at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing on November 16 after admitting being involved in connection with the supply of ecstasy to Leah.