White heroin reappears in Amsterdam injuring three Danish people

Three Danish tourists were sickened after using white heroin they thought was cocaine. The tourists, aged 21, 22 and 24 were treated in a hospital and released, the city said in a statement.

It is not clear if all three purchased the drugs in the same place, police said. A 15 thousand euro reward will be given to anyone providing the key piece of evidence that leads to an arrest in the case.

Three people died and 17 others were hospitalized after using the drug in 2014. The city ran an extensive campaign about the danger of white heroin, and that dealers were selling it on the streets claiming it to be cocaine. The campaign included readily accessible cocaine test kits, large electronic signs, billboards, flyers and a media outreach.

The campaign began on October 26, was intensified by November 27 and through the winter holidays, and ended January 19. It is the first time someone in the city is known to have been stricken by white heroin use since November 25.

Amsterdam officials say they will immediately begin the campaign again, saying it, “shows that the health and safety of Amsterdammers and the many thousands of tourists that visit the city are its main concern. The prevention of new victims in this situation takes precedence over the investigation and goes before any eventual negative effect on the city’s image.”

Ten of the large, electric dot matrix signs will be placed at Amsterdam Central Station and the city’s nightlife areas Friday evening. More will be placed in the coming days. Large placards will also go up on Friday, and flyers will be handed out in some areas. The city will also ask restaurants, coffee shops, smart shops, hotels and hostels to hang posters notifying guests.

The cocaine test kits will go back on sale soon in thirty different smart shops.