The family of British teenager Ryan Long is continuing to campaign about the dangers of recreational drug use after the 18-year-old died following a night out in Ibiza.

Ryan, from the Southend area of Essex, was on his first holiday abroad with friends in July 2025 when he became critically ill after taking drugs during a night out.

His death has since become the focus of a campaign by his mother, Angie Long, who wants young people to better understand the potential risks associated with recreational drugs.

What happened to Ryan in Ibiza

Ryan travelled to Ibiza with friends on July 2, 2025.

According to accounts from his family and friends, the group went out on their first night on the island and later visited a nightclub. Ryan subsequently became unwell and was taken back towards his accommodation.

His condition deteriorated rapidly. Friends called emergency services and he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Ryan later fell into a coma and developed severe organ failure and a brain haemorrhage. He was transferred to Mallorca for further treatment but died on July 8, 2025, aged 18.

What was established about the drugs

Early reports described the substance as ecstasy or MDMA based on information from the family and circumstances surrounding the incident.

However, the medical findings provide a more precise picture.

ITV News reported in June 2026 that Ryan's inquest identified MDMA and cocaine as the cause of death.

That distinction is important because it is not accurate to report simply that an ecstasy tablet alone was officially established as the cause of death.

The family has nevertheless continued to describe the tragedy as a warning about the risks associated with taking ecstasy and other recreational drugs.

His final words

According to Ryan's mother and the latest reporting, Ryan was able to say his younger brother Aaron's name shortly before losing consciousness.

His family has spoken publicly about those final moments as part of their campaign to keep his memory alive and warn other young people about drug-related risks.

A family campaign

Following Ryan's death, Angie Long began working with the drug and alcohol support charity Open Road to raise awareness among young people.

The campaign, called Ryan's 18, involves messages from 18 people across 18 consecutive days, including drug workers, community organisations and local representatives.

The aim is to encourage conversations about recreational drugs and the warning signs that friends should look out for when somebody becomes unwell.

Angie has also spoken in schools and colleges and distributed awareness materials through local communities.

A warning about drug strength

The latest campaign has also focused on concerns about the strength and variability of MDMA products.

The Sun report cites The Loop, a UK drug-checking organisation, which reported finding substantial variation in the amount of MDMA contained in pills tested during 2026.

That information relates to drug samples tested in the UK and should not be interpreted as evidence about the contents of the particular substance Ryan took in Ibiza.

There is no publicly established evidence that the pill Ryan took contained a specific quantity of MDMA.

Ibiza's wider drug context

The case comes amid continued efforts by Spanish authorities to tackle the trafficking of synthetic drugs into Ibiza.

In June 2026, Spain's National Police announced the dismantling of an alleged criminal infrastructure supplying synthetic drugs to Ibiza from the Netherlands.

Authorities reported seizing 22 kilograms of ecstasy and 50 kilograms of ketamine in Ibiza, alongside approximately 100 kilograms of MDMA and large quantities of chemical precursors in Rotterdam. Two people were arrested and placed in pre-trial custody.

That operation concerns alleged drug trafficking and is separate from Ryan Long's death.

A warning for young travellers

Ryan's family has repeatedly urged young people not to assume that serious consequences cannot happen to them.

His mother has described him as someone who enjoyed football, swimming, scuba diving and music, and who had become increasingly interested in DJing.

His trip to Ibiza was intended to be his first holiday with friends, but it ended in tragedy.

The family now wants Ryan's story to encourage young people to recognise the risks associated with recreational drugs and to take action if a friend becomes seriously unwell.

Why the dates matter

The latest Sun article states that Ryan arrived in Ibiza on July 2 and refers to events in 2026. However, independent reporting from ITV and earlier coverage establish that the trip and his death occurred in July 2025, with Ryan dying on July 8, 2025.

The 2026 date appears to be an error in the latest article and should not be repeated in reporting about the original incident.

Remembering Ryan

More than a year after Ryan's death, his family continues to use his story to promote drug awareness.

Their message is aimed particularly at young people heading to clubs, festivals and holiday destinations, where they may encounter recreational drugs.

Ryan's story is now part of a wider campaign by his family and Open Road to encourage young people to understand the risks, look after their friends and seek emergency help when someone becomes seriously unwell.