Family raises alarm after collapse in Birmingham city centre
A grieving sister has publicly warned people in Birmingham about the dangers of synthetic drug black mamba after her brother collapsed in the city and later died in hospital.
The man, named in reports as Stephen Taylor, fell ill in Birmingham city centre on 19 October. He was taken to hospital and died in the early hours of the following Saturday after life support was turned off on the Friday evening, his sister said.
"I don't think this is just a cannabis or you know, I don't think this drug is safe. This is not safe."
Speaking on BBC Radio WM, his sister, Dawn French, said she had been told by police there was a contaminated strain of black mamba circulating on Birmingham’s streets. West Midlands Police have confirmed they are working to establish whether the death is linked to potentially contaminated drugs.
What is black mamba and why it is dangerous
Black mamba is a synthetic cannabinoid that can mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in natural cannabis. It typically appears similar to cannabis but is often cheaper and more potent. It was among a group of substances colloquially described as “legal highs” that were later brought under stricter controls by the government in 2013.
French told BBC Radio WM that her brother had struggled with an addiction to the drug "for many many years" after it was originally sold openly in shops and post offices. She said that by the time authorities recognised the dangers and introduced bans, many users were already dependent.
Community impact and police inquiry
The death has prompted urgent concern from relatives and community groups in Birmingham. The prospect of a contaminated batch raises the risk of further harm among people who already use synthetic cannabinoids or who may try them believing they are similar to cannabis.
West Midlands Police have said they are investigating whether the contaminated supply is connected to the man’s death. No further details about the nature of the contamination have been released publicly.
- Local warning: Family members and broadcasters have urged people to avoid the substance and to get information to others in the city.
- Police action: West Midlands Police are investigating the circumstances to determine any link with potentially contaminated drugs.
- Long-term issue: Synthetic cannabinoids remain a hazard because of varying potency, unknown additives and past availability when they were sold openly.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 19 October | Stephen Taylor collapsed in Birmingham city centre and was taken to hospital. |
| Friday evening (following collapse) | Life support was switched off. |
| Early hours of Saturday | Taylor died in hospital. |
French, who lives in Wigan, said she had rushed to Birmingham to be with her brother and now feels compelled to speak publicly to try to prevent other families from suffering the same loss. "I was having to try and take things into my own hands ... to get the information out into Birmingham and to warn people," she said.
Health services and local drug support organisations in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands typically advise anyone worried about contamination or adverse reactions to synthetic drugs to seek immediate medical help and to contact local harm-reduction services. Authorities often ask members of the public with information about suspect supplies to report it to the police to aid investigations.
The incident underlines continuing problems posed by synthetic cannabinoids in the city: their appearance may mimic cannabis, but unknown additives and variable strength can make them significantly more hazardous. West Midlands Police say their inquiry is ongoing and have not confirmed any further operational details.
