ALERT: Warning over 'coffin' drug being sold in Ireland for €1 a pop

Calls have been made for urgent legislation against the drug pregabalin, otherwise known as the "coffin tablet" to be reclassified as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977.

Fianna Fáil member and MEP for Dublin Barry Andrews has said the drug is becoming increasingly common on Dublin streets and is being sold for as little as €1.

The drug, which is used to treat epilepsy, nerve pain and anxiety disorder has been described as the new Oxycontin in the US, which has caused devastation among communities as users become highly addicted.

The MEP also cited a Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) report that stated the drug was found present in 1 in 16 post-mortem toxicology tests.

The Coroners Society of Ireland has also appealed to the HSE the reclassify the drug dues to its misuse and growing availability on the streets.

Andrews stated,

"While the drug serves legitimate medical purposes, its growing presence on the streets demands immediate attention.

"Given the drug is referred to as the "coffin tablet", it is worrying that action has not been taken sooner.

"Pregabalin is being used as a mixer in a cocktail of drugs, placing severe risk of an overdose on users. Given how cheap it is, its popularity is set to increase. This is why we need to nip it in the bud before it takes over our streets.

"Pregabalin has been compared to Oxycontin in the United States. This should immediately ring alarm bells within Government given the devastating impact Oxy has had on communities across the US.

"This cannot be allowed to happen in Dublin. Restricting access to this drug is a simple step we can take to make Dublin streets safer."