Research chemical NBOM-e linked to drug deaths of teenagers Henry Kwan, Nick Mitchell, Preston Bridge

A research chemical called NBOM-e is being blamed for the deaths of three high school students and one adult, with police and drug educators sounding an alarm to parents and students.

The substance is sold on drug-dealing website the Silk Road for less than $2 and can also be purchased in bulk from factories in China.

Originally a chemical used in research for identifying depression, drug dealers took the chemical formula from scientific journals and replicated it.

The head of the NSW Drug Squad, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, says police are now certain the drug caused the death of 17-year-old student Henry Kwan, who jumped from the third-floor balcony of his home two months ago.

"We know [it was] one of the NBOM-e products," Detective Superintendent Bingham told 7:30.

"There's several of them - 25b, 25c, 25i - [they] seem to be the most popular products.

"I believe it was a 25i product that Henry ingested. And it was sold to him as LSD, not as NBOM-e."

7.30 can also reveal that police have a strong suspicion the drug caused the death of 15-year-old Nick Mitchell from the Central Coast, who died last December.

At the time the death was blamed on LSD.  

"Unfortunately young Nick Mitchell died as a result of taking a substance, and his friend who survived engaged in quite reckless behaviour," Det Supt Bingham said.

"Toxicology reports have since come back that no LSD was involved in Nick Mitchell's death.

"It's speculation until a full toxicology report comes back, but I'm quite sure that NBOM-e will be involved in that case."

NBOM-e more dangerous than LSD, but still legal in NSW

At the time of Henry Kwan's death it was reported that he had taken synthetic LSD.

But NBOM-e drugs are far more toxic and dangerous, and contrary to reports are still legal in some Australian states.

"Currently NBOM-es are legal in NSW," Det Supt Bingham said.

"I've made submissions, I'm on a inter departmental government panel working group making submissions to have these drugs listed as prohibited, and hopefully that will happen in the very near future." 

Henry's father Stephen Kwan hopes NBOM-es are quickly made illegal.

"I wanted to get that message that really he died for a good cause, that he can really help to save more people, more young people," he said.

Family grieves for son who took drug bought on Silk Road

In Perth, another grieving family is waiting on toxicology results for their teenage son Preston Bridge, with LSD originally suspected but now ruled out.

Preston's father Rod Bridge does not know if NBOM-es are involved, but the drug was purchased on Silk Road for a similar price and the circumstances are very similar.

"One of the other boys there has told me that it was purchased as an experimental trial pack, and you can buy 10 for $20 and if you buy 10 you get one free - [a] bit like an upgrade meal at McDonalds," he said.

"So someone's out there selling whatever and for the sake of most probably $2, it's killed my son."

Mr Bridge has set up a shrine in his home to his son and is leading a campaign to have the Silk Road shut down.

He also wants students educated about the risks.

Through tears, he says his son Preston would be proud.

"He'd support it a long way, for sure. I'm doing it for him. That's what he'd do," he said.

Drug educator warning of dangers of NBOM-e

The three deaths and the death of an adult in South Australia are being closely monitored by veteran drug educator Paul Dillon.

For the first time in more than 20 years of talks with teenagers about drugs, Mr Dillon is now including a drug warning.

"Police put out warnings about things and then nothing bad happens and young people don't believe us - we lose our credibility," he said.

"I certainly don't want to lose mine, but I really do believe that something really is happening at the moment, with the very young - we're not talking about 18, 19-years-olds here, we're going younger and younger."

Mr Dillon believes toxicology tests will soon confirm NBOM-e was taken in all three deaths.

"For many of the deaths that we suspect to be NBOM-e related, we still haven't got the toxicology through - certainly every indication is it is what it is," he said.

"I certainly wouldn't be giving a drug warning in schools unless I thought that this was the case.

"All of the experts that I've spoken to - law enforcement, toxicologists - all believe that that's what we're going to see here."