Tyne & Wear and Northumberland: We highlight danger of buying prescription medication illegally

We are raising awareness of the illegal trade in prescription medication across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland with a new campaign, and we are encouraging the public to report what they know 100% anonymously. 

With the North East having the highest rate of drug misuse deaths across England *, our new Crimestoppers campaign will highlight that prescription medicine should only be recommended and obtained from healthcare professionals, based on their clinical judgment and after consultation.

Self-diagnosing and purchasing drugs to self-medicate with illegal medication is dangerous, due to the risk of suffering severe side effects which can ultimately lead to death. The drugs may not be what they are labelled and there is no way of knowing what they contain.
 
Those that sell prescription drugs illegally have only financial gain in mind and not the health or lives of the people buying them. If you know who is involved in selling illegal prescription medication, please tell our charity what you know anonymously.
 

“Criminals who sell prescription medication illegally are exploiting individuals who are often vulnerable and they have no regard for the health or welfare of these people.
 
“We are appealing to the public to help protect members in our community from the trade in illegal medication by speaking up and sharing what you know with our charity 100% anonymously. People are sadly losing their lives to this crime and it can be avoided.  
 
“If you have any information on where the illegal drugs are being obtained, who is selling them and where they are being stored, contact our charity. Call our UK-based Contact Centre at any time or complete a safe and secure online form. Crimestoppers has always kept its promise of anonymity to the thousands of people who contact us every day.”
 
Fleur Brown, Crimestoppers North East Regional Manager

Information can be given 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers, 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day by calling 0800 555 111. Alternatively, complete a safe and secure online form here on our website or via Fearless.org for young people.

Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers or Fearless. For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and the charity has never traced a call.
 
* Office of National Statistics – December 2023
 

 Find out more about illegal drugs.