Heritics of Heroin

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New heroin warning as drugs death toll rockets in Scotland

Heroin warning after deaths rise

Drug users have been warned about the purity of heroin
A warning to drug users about heroin quality has been issued by Scotland's largest police force after an increase in overdoses and deaths.

Since 1 January, there have been 82 drug-related deaths in the Strathclyde Police area, compared with 48 for the same period last year.

Police believe the increase is "connected to the purity of heroin currently being sold".

Analysis showed the strength is almost twice that of last year's heroin.

Detective Superintendent John McSporran said: "I would urge people who insist on taking illegal drugs to take the necessary precautions to make sure they are safe - such as making sure they are not alone when using heroin.

"Taking any type of illegal drugs is inherently dangerous.

"We would urge that they seek out advice from health professionals."

'Radical rethink'

A leading drugs worker said the rise called for a major rethink about the way drug users are treated.

Alistair Ramsay, former head of the national advice body Scotland Against Drugs and now campaigning independently, said: "The figure is very high.

"We could be looking at a dramatic jump in the way drug deaths are going.

"We need to look at what's been done up until now and have a radical rethink at how to access people who are using drugs.

"We need to review what help and support they are getting."

Purity and an increase of the amount of heroin in deals will only be part of the equation

Scottish Drugs Forum

Strathclyde Police has called a meeting to bring together social workers, health workers and alcohol and drug action teams.

A spokesperson for the policy and information agency Scottish Drugs Forum said: "The latest figure is of great concern but, in the absence of detailed information on each of the deaths, it is difficult to define any particular cause for this rise.

"For instance, purity and an increase of the amount of heroin in deals will only be part of the equation.

"International research also highlights other potential contributory factors such as poor overall health ¿ particularly those infected with the Hepatitis C virus ¿ as well as the age of the user and the length of time he or she has been a drug user. "

Thanks to:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/4985988.stm

for use.

Another story relating to the above:

Turf war could have sparked drugs deaths increase
16 May 2006 18:00

A turf war between heroin and cocaine dealers has led to an increase in the number of drug users dying in the west of Scotland, according to new figures published today by the police.

Heroin dealers are doubling the strength of their doses to try to win back users who have switched to cocaine. The result is that nearly twice as many addicts have died so far this year compared to 12 months ago.

So far this year there have been 82 drug related deaths in Strathclyde, compared with 48 last year. The average heroin content in a deal was 100mg, it is now thought to be 125mg. Experts say that when all factors taken into consideration, each deal is now twice as powerful as it was a year ago.

The police are warning users to take precautions and not to inject alone. But they add that the grim warning that the practice of injecting hard drugs is inherently dangerous.

Interesting, Sha.....again something like we are seeing where I am from......they have the police on the streets warning people...don't buy the dope......as if they really care.....probably think "Go ahead ya creepy junkies".....it's the Fentanyl here though that they are adding, and supposedly Philadelphia not long ago had the purest heroin in the country....so add the fentanyl, and you have instant death.....they must have to up the anty....that has to cost a bit to add fentanyl....just so thankful I am outta that loop.....thank goodness.

Here's 2 other interresting sites talking about drugs, news...

This one talking about the Naomi program (free heroin tryout)

They are Canadian site though. I did not read everything, so there might be links for the United States...

Have a good read...if you like to

read ..of course!

Bye for now...Loulou annelafleur2

Thanks Anne..I will give them a look & read. I tried out for Naomi here in Montreal but was turned down.

So Sad: They wanted to get more customers so they made the heroin purer. They wont have ANY customers if they all die.

say a prayer for the addicts out there still using.

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