How a Historic Town Faces a Deadly Drug Crisis from China

Stockton-on-Tees, a town with a rich industrial past, is now facing a crisis. Once a pivotal location during the Industrial Revolution, known for its role in the invention of the railway locomotive and the world's first passenger train journey, it is now grappling with a new challenge. The streets are being flooded with a dangerous drug originating from China.

The drug, Zopiclone, often referred to as "Zimmers" on the streets, is legally prescribed for insomnia. However, it is also readily available online and has become a drug of choice for addicts. Large quantities of this substance are now entering Britain, with Stockton-on-Tees at the forefront of the issue. The police are actively working to protect the public from the dangers associated with this drug.

The Zopiclone sold online is often mixed with other, cheaper, and potentially lethal substances. Last year, a tragic incident occurred in the town where one person died and several others were hospitalized after taking "Zimmers" that were likely contaminated. Local authorities issued warnings about the risks of using potentially contaminated batches of the drug, which could lead to severe illness or overdose. Statistics reveal that Stockton had the highest number of drug-related deaths in the North East during a recent period.

The impact of this drug is evident in the accounts of local addicts. One individual described how their use of Zopiclone led to an addiction to crack cocaine. Another user highlighted the widespread availability of contaminated drugs in the area, and the practice of obtaining drugs from China. A local shop owner reported seeing young children under the influence of drugs.