South Shields teenager death could be linked to legal high
Police believe the death of a teenager on South Tyneside could be linked to the use of legal highs.
The 18-year-old was taken to hospital from an address in South Shields early on Saturday, but later died.
The results of toxicology tests are awaited but officers have been looking into the possibility that a legal high was involved.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said such substances were potentially dangerous and warned against their use.
"While there is no specific issue with legal high substances in South Shields, we are aware of the growing trend in their use in other parts of the country," he said.
"I would like to stress that the use of so-called legal high drugs is not safe and can kill or have a devastating impact upon your health.
"These substances often contain potentially dangerous chemicals and can cause death."