After several unexplained deaths among young people in northern Värmland, concern is now growing that unknown narcotic-classified preparations are circulating in the area. On Tuesday evening, hundreds of residents met in Råda, outside Hagfors, to talk about the problem. – I felt that I needed to do something so that everyone can see what is happening, says Maria Johansson, president of the parents’ association and initiator of the meeting. In the space of just a few weeks, five young people in Värmland have died under unclear circumstances. The police suspect that the deaths are drug-related and that it may be the same drug – tramadol. – It’s clear that you get super worried and soon you don’t want the children to go out in the evenings, says Maria Johansson. The latest death occurred in mid-March in Torsby where a 22-year-old man collapsed lifeless at a party. The week before, a 19-year-old man had died in similar circumstances in a house just 850 meters away. Investigation initiated An investigation into causing the death of another was initiated, and preliminary investigations may also be initiated in the other cases. – This is done in order to be able to open a larger part of the toolbox in the trial code and to be able to carry out certain investigative measures to see if there is anything that can lead us forward regarding the deaths, says Morgan Olsson, acting chief of the local police in Torsby. The police have also issued a warning about the risks of unknown narcotic preparations, especially in combination with alcohol. And last week a meeting was held on the subject which attracted hundreds of people in Torsby. – I hope the children get scared and don’t dare try. That they are discouraged, because there is nothing good about drugs, says Maria Johansson. Not unique to Värmland Despite the fact that there have been many deaths among young people in a short time in northern Värmland, it is not a distinctive problem for the area. Morgan Olsson believes that the drug problem is spread all over the country. – It exists all over Sweden and right now it is in our area that it has happened, but it could just as easily have happened anywhere, he says.
t4-general
Parents in meeting after the deaths among young people: “You get really worried”
