WATCH: 'Stay away from drugs' First Minister plea to young people after expressing concern over incidents during pandemic
Arlene Foster has made an urgent plea to young people after revealing being "incredibly concerned'' about a rise in drug taking during the pandemic.
And she urged anyone thinking about trying drugs to look at the devastation that had been caused by the death of 18-year-old Co Armagh student Jeni Larmour.
The former deputy head girl at the Royal in Armagh died just 48 hours after arriving in Newcastle upon Tyne to begin her first-year studies at the city's university.
The teenager, from Newtownhamilton, was one of four young people to die in suspected drug-related incidents in the north east of England over the weekend.
Speaking to Cool FM's Facebook show, last night, Mrs Foster said "I have been very concerned recently, I've been talking to young people about some of the issues that have been confronting them around mental health and youth employment but one of the things I am incredibly concerned about is the rise in drug taking.
"I have to say it's something that I as First Minister intend to look into, work with the statutory agencies to try and find a way forward.
"I know it's the easiest thing in the world when you're bored and you've nothing to do, to look for something different and to try something different.
"But I appeal to you, look at the devastation that has been caused by the death of Jeni Larmour, a young woman who left Newtownhamilton in Co Armagh to go to university in Newcastle and goes out as I understand it on her first night when she has arrived to study architecture and takes a drug which is obviously a bad batch from what I can understand because I think four young people have died in that area.
"And that young woman has now lost her life and her parents have lost an outstanding young pupil as I understand it from her headmaster who I was speaking to today.''
Mrs Foster said she knew young people were "fed up'' with coronavirus regulations and losing out on so many opportunities as a result of the virus.
"I know you're fed up, everybody's fed up with Covid-19,'' she said.
"But we are talking about a limited period of time in what I hope is a very long life for all of you.
"So I am really appealing to you to stick with us, because it is for the benefit of people you love - your parents, your grandparents, your vulnerable friends.
"And it's so important that you stick with us at this time.''
Meanwhile, there has been an 11th arrest by Northumbria Police investigating Ms Larmour's death and the deaths of three others in Newcastle.
Police said inquiries were ongoing into the deaths of two 18-year-old women, one of them Ms Larmour, who were found unresponsive over the weekend in the same Newcastle University student accommodation
Two men were found dead elsewhere in the city.
Police made 10 arrests for drugs-related offences over the weekend, and on Tuesday held a 30-year-old man on suspicion of supplying a Class A drug.
More searches of student blocks have been carried out by the police.
Chief inspector Steve Wykes urged any students who have illegal drugs to dispose of them safely, either by contacting a university welfare officer or by visiting their local police station.
He said: "We are all still in shock at what has been an incredibly sad and difficult weekend.
"Public safety is our absolute priority and we are working closely with our partners at the universities and in the local authorities to ensure all students and everyone living in our local communities are fully supported at this time.''