CHEAP and deadly “street blues” are flooding Glasgow and linked to several deaths.

Experts have warned that the pills are responsible for an “unprecedented number of drug related deaths” in the city.

It is understood that almost 20 people have died after taking the pills in a six week period between December and the middle of January.

Early data shows there was a 43% rise in the number of people who died of drugs overdoses in Glasgow from January to October last year compared with the same period in 2017, and an increasing number of people were also being treated for non-fatal overdoses at hospitals and by crisis services across the city.

Experts warn the pills are being sold to vulnerable people, some homeless, for pennies and the market is being flooded.

Susanne Millar, Chair of Glasgow’s Alcohol & Drug Partnership, described a number of drug deaths among people in settled homeless accommodation as “unprecedented”.

She said: “Glasgow is currently experiencing a an unprecedented number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses believed to be linked to the use of street Valium, although we won’t know conclusively until we have all the toxicology.

“People are dicing with death by taking this drug, particularly if it is mixed with alcohol and other drugs. Warnings have been issued to people by homelessness and addictions services but sadly dealers are targeting the most vulnerable.

“A number of deaths have taken place among residents of settled homeless accommodation which is tragic and very unusual. Support is being offered to frontline staff who are being confronted by human tragedies when going to check on service users.”

Saket Priyadarshi, Associate Medical Director, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Addiction Services, said he feared street blues were currently a factor in the vast majority of fatal drug overdoses in the city.

He added: “I have been very concerned about the use of street blues for some time now. When people buy street blues, they do not know what is in the pills. The quality and dosage can be very variable. People might think they are taking diazepam but it may be other much more potent benzodiazepines such as Etizolam.”