TEENAGERS are being urged not to gamble with their lives after two girls who took unknown drugs fell ill.

A 16-year-old girl and her 15-year-old friend were taken to Basildon Hospital with rapid heart rates after taking what is believed to have been a mix of ecstasy and cocaine.

Police have launched an investigation to find out who supplied the drugs to the teenagers.

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, responsible for the south local policing area, said the girls both made a full recovery thanks to receiving prompt treatment.

He said: “On Monday, two girls that had taken drugs turned up at Basildon Hospital.

“Fortunately they received medical treatment very quickly and are now both fine.

“The effects weren’t too serious - they had elevated heart rates and were feeling unwell.

“An investigation is now ongoing to establish who supplied them with the drugs.”

It comes a month after former Billericay School pupil Sherie-Lea James died of a suspected drugs overdose.

The 15-year-old cancer survivor was rushed to Basildon Hospital after she was taken ill at a house party in South Ockendon.

She died after suffering several cardiac arrests in the ambulance.

Mr Baldwin added: “Nowadays people don’t know what is in the drugs.

“You are taking a gamble. Any drug is dangerous but some of these drugs are laced with other products.

“You have no idea what effect they will have.

“Stop and think about what you are putting in your body. Some people have had fatal consequences.”

Tests are ongoing to establish exactly what the two teenagers took.

Sherie Lea’s mum, Sam James, 43, of New Waverley Road, Basildon, has urged other young people not to follow the same path as her daughter - who is believed to have taken ecstasy.

She told the Echo: “This could happen to anybody, please don’t do it. You don’t know what you are taking and it is just not worth it.”

Anyone with information about the latest drugs incident can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.