An 18-year-old Cork student has died following a drugs overdose.
The student had been in a critical condition and on a life support machine since Monday night when six people were rushed to Cork University Hospital after a house party.
The alarm was raised at around 4am when a couple passing the house became concerned when they saw at least one man dancing naked and apparently hallucinating on the street.
The HSE has issued a warning about the danger posed by these psychoactive drugs.
"These drugs can be sold in tablet powder or liquid form and are consumed at parties or clubs for their stimulant, mood altering and in some cases, aphrodisiac effect," said a HSE statement.
"However, it is generally reported that these drugs can have serious side effects both from a psychological and physical viewpoint.
"Such side effects include paranoia, hallucinations (both auditory and visual), gastrointestinal effects and kidney problems.
"Young people are advised that there is no quality control on these drugs.
"There are problems with purity and contaminants, and there is no way of checking that what is purchased or consumed is the intended substance.
"Given the serious side-effects experienced by the young people in Cork, the HSE Addiction services are issuing a warning about possible contaminated ‘party pills’ and advise people not to consume any unknown substances that they are offered at this time."
