Pubdate: Tue, 06 Sep 2005
Source: Yorkshire Post Today (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Johnston Press New Media
Contact:  http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3780
Author: Lucy Harvey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

STUDY REVEALS CITY'S CHEAP HEROIN SHAME

Price Halves In Drugs 'Distribution Centre'

SHEFFIELD has the cheapest heroin and cocaine in the UK according to a 
survey published today, and police say the city is a drugs "distribution 
centre" for the rest of South Yorkshire.

The average price of a gram of heroin in Sheffield has more than halved in 
a year, falling from between UKP 50 and UKP 70 to UKP 25, according to 
research carried out by charity DrugScope.

The same survey revealed the average cost of a gram of cocaine bought in 
the city has also decreased from UKP 50 to UKP 30, and the price of a rock 
of crack cocaine has halved, from UKP 20 to UKP 10.

Prices in Sheffield fall well below national average prices of a gram of 
heroin and cocaine, calculated at UKP 49 and UKP 42 respectively.

In Ipswich heroin is sold at UKP 90 per gram and in Belfast at UKP 100.

DC Steve Duce, South Yorkshire Police's drug strategy co-ordinator believes 
the reason for the low prices in Sheffield is because of the availability 
of the Class A drugs in the city.

"Sheffield seems to be a distribution centre for South Yorkshire and the 
nearer you get to the source the cheaper it is." DC Duce also said the 
average UKP 10 bag of the drug bought in the city contains 0.25g of heroin 
- -- a higher than average concentration.

In stark contrast, the cost of 'softer' drugs in Sheffield has increased. 
The average prize of cannabis resin is rated the highest in the UK, at UKP 
70 per ounce.

The street value of an ounce of herbal cannabis ranges between UKP 70 and 
UKP 110, an increase from between UKP 60 and UKP 90 in 2004.

The latest figures were collated from workers in frontline drug services 
across 15 cities in July, and are the most up-to-date information on the 
street value of drugs.

Results show extensive regional variations and new trends in drug use.

Ecstasy tablets, which cost an average UKP 2 in Sheffield -- down from 
between UKP 3 and UKP 5 last year -- are being sold for as little as 50p in 
Portsmouth, and 80p in Cardiff.

This year the highest average price of the pills was UKP 5 recorded in Glasgow.

A gram of amphetamine costs around UKP 8 in Sheffield, but sells for just 
UKP 2 in Newcastle and UKP 2.50 in Middlesbrough.

"As this survey shows, although overall national prices have remained 
fairly stable since 2004, we are seeing significant regional variations 
across the UK," said Harry Shapiro, editor of magazine Druglink which has 
published the figures.

"Sheffield has emerged as something of a drugs hub with cut price heroin 
and cocaine and some of the cheapest crack in the country, while at the 
same time having a relatively expensive market in cannabis."

The survey, commissioned by the DrugScope organisation which specialises in 
drugs and aims to reduce drug-related risks, also revealed a frightening 
new trend in drug abuse.

Researchers found more and more users are turning to ketamine, a veterinary 
anaesthetic with strong hallucinogenic properties.

In eight of the 15 cities surveyed it was found to be in widespread use, 
selling for between UKP 15 and UKP 50 per gram in places including 
Nottingham, London, Manchester and Cardiff.

"Ketamine has now established its place alongside the usual dance scene 
drugs like ecstasy," said Pete Hurd of Nottingham drug service Compass. 
"It's popular in pre-club bars and has a big following in both gay and 
straight clubs.

"It is being taken with other dance drugs by middle class people who like 
to party hard at the weekend and then go back to work in the week."

Ketamine is currently legal although the Home Office has plans to 
reclassify it as a class C drug by the end of this year.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman