DETECTIVES have issued a warning after two people were treated for the adverse effects of drug taking.

Police officers and ambulance crews were called to two separate houses on Thursday night in Canterbury.

A 29-year-old man from the city and another 40-year-old local man were treated for overdosing on drugs.

A spokesman said: "We believe the drugs the men were using were part of a highly potent batch currently in circulation, and the users were unaware of its strength."

Det Insp Nick Greenan said: “Drugs in any form, including prescription drugs, are dangerous and should only ever be taken at the direction of a doctor or pharmacist.

“People taking or considering taking illicit drugs need to be aware of the potentially dangerous effects the drugs may have on them.

“Of particular risk are the illegal drugs, such as amphetamines, cocaine and heroin, which are made in clandestine laboratories by people that have very little idea of what they are doing."

He stressed: "Many illegal drug makers use rat poison, ground up glass, chalk and any number of unhealthy or potentially lethal additives.

“Drug users also really need to be wary of the strength of pure drugs. Using illicit drugs of unknown strength is as dangerous as using pure ones.”

He said that said every year in East Kent police officers dealt with the deaths of three or four people that are linked to drug misuse.

Kent Police run regular operations to target drug supply and usage, including the highly successful Operation Pirate in Thanet during August.

Det Insp Greenan added: "Every year, Kent Police runs operations targeting drugs. In August we ran a comprehensive drugs operation in Thanet, using covert tactics to catch drug dealers, that resulted in more than 20 people being charged with drug offences and being remanded in custody awaiting court hearings.

“These operations are done in conjunction with other agencies, such as Kent Council on Addiction, and local councils, with the aim of breaking the link between drug abuse and crime in our community.”