Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jul 2001
Source: Daily Record and Sunday Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2001 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.record-mail.co.uk/rm/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/111

ALERT AFTER CHEAP HEROIN DANGER HITS THE STREETS

Scotland - Drug squads are on the alert after a secret report revealed 
super- strength heroin is being sold on Scotland's streets.

A confidential document says pure heroin being seized by police is the most 
potent officers have seen.

It's widely available for less than pounds 10 a bag - the same price as 
previously weaker batches - and is being sold alongside clear Temazepam 
capsules, or jellies, in deadly two-for-one deals.

The shock report, by Strathclyde Police Drugs Squad's STOP unit, says: 
"Temazepam is often abused with heroin and recently recovered tenner bags 
have been found to be heavier and better quality. The combination of both 
drugs is a potentially fatal cocktail."

It's the first time jellies have been seen on the streets since they were 
banned in 1997 because they were being injected by addicts.

Drugs workers now fear more drugs deaths and an increase in young users, 
tempted by low prices.

Cocaine has also dropped dramatically in price. A decade ago it cost around 
pounds 200 per gram, but it's now available for as little as pounds 40 in 
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Every force in Scotland has been put on alert over the report's findings 
and drugs squad officers will meet next month to discuss the problem.

Detective Sergeant Kenny Simpson of Strathclyde Police said yesterday: 
"Drug users are putting their health at serious risk by taking this high 
purity heroin, particularly if they mix it with temazepam.

"Temazepam can make the user very violent, after which there is little or 
no recollection of events. The possibility of this is greater when the drug 
is mixed with alcohol.
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