Forfar has been rocked by two sudden deaths in 36 hours.
Following the suspected drugs-related death of 31-year-old local woman Lisa Deveres on Tuesday evening, police have mounted a fresh inquiry following the discovery of a 49-year-old man’s body in a town centre flat on Thursday morning.
The second probe remains at an early stage and the identity of the victim has not been released.
Police declined to confirm or deny the possibility that the cause may also be drugs related, but the close proximity of the two deaths in timing and location has shocked the community.
Ms Deveres’ death has also brought a stark warning from police and health experts to local drug users over the deadly risk of illicit substances.
As news of the death spread through the town, a property close to the police’s eastern divisional HQ became the focus of the second inquiry.
A police spokesman said: ”Tayside Police can confirm that they attended an address at West High Street, Forfar, around 10.40am following the sudden death of a 49-year-old man. As with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
The man’s identity is expected to be released once next of kin have been informed.
Against the background of Ms Deveres’ death, police, health experts and Angus Alcohol and Drugs Partnership issued an awareness message to drug users.
Those making the plea included public health consultant Dr Kirsty Licence, chairperson of the Drugs Related Deaths Working and Review Groups; Karen Melville, a pharmacist with Tayside Substance Misuse service based in Dundee, who is also chairperson of the Tayside-wide Overdose group and the local lead for the national Take Home Naloxone initiative, and Gordon Walker, clinical lead with Tayside Drug Problem Service at Arbroath’s Springfield Medical Centre.
The message stated: ”This recent suspect drugs-related death again highlights the dangers involved to people who use illicit drugs and we would urge anyone involved in the use of these drugs to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
”Whilst most drugs users try to manage their own drug use, various factors make drug misuse a very dangerous practice which is almost always harmful to health and can result in death.”
They added:”We would also like to give out a strong message that should anyone find another person in overdose then they should dial 999 immediately and summon medical assistance. They should also stay with the person until that assistance arrives.
”We appreciate that there is a fear within the drug-using community that by calling for medical assistance it is likely the police will also be in attendance. We would reassure everyone that in such circumstances our first and foremost intention is to ensure that appropriate medical assistance is given.”
Assistance for drug problems can be obtained from Tayside Drug Problem Service on 01241 435820 or Angus Social Work Drug and Alcohol Team on 01241 435821, both of which are at Springfield Medical Centre.