Four cases of botulism in heroin users in Britain has prompted the National Disease Surveillance Centre to launch an alert over possible contaminated heroin circulating in Ireland. The latest batch of contaminated heroin is not believed to contain the strain of flesh-eating bacteria which killed eight people in Ireland and 35 in Britain two years ago. Heroin users should seek immediate medical attention should they develop unusual symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, speech paralysis and breathing problems. British authorities are investigating four suspected cases of wound botulism, possibly associated with injecting heroin. There have been no botulism cases in drug users here, but the NDSC believes the chance of this occurring cannot be ruled out. [end]
A technique used by credit card and insurance companies is being successfully used by the National Drugs Team in the fight against illegal drug smuggling. Profiling - a risk assessment programme where the movement of passengers or freight is monitored for suspicious patterns - helped in the majority of 30 arrests by the NDT in the past year. Recent successes where profiling was used include the pounds 2.5m cannabis haul at Cork Harbour in July and the discovery in Dublin airport of a pounds 1m cocaine stash, concealed in the soles of three pairs of sandals at the end of August. [continues 215 words]
A review of the National Drugs Strategy is examining the prevalence of underage drinking in Ireland and its link to the general drugs problem here. Junior Minister responsible for the strategy, Eoin Ryan, said the review is trying to ensure services are there for young people so that they do not turn to drugs. Education is also a key, he believes. He said the review must confront the problem of underage drinking, since young people can go on to develop alcohol dependence and dependence on other substances. [continues 401 words]
New proposals to tackle the flood of drug trafficking in this country have been made in an internal review by the Revenue Commissioners. Customs officers would have increased powers to arrest persons ``on suspicion of having committed an offence'' when a garda is not available, under recommendations by a review group for the Revenue Commissioners. These powers currently exist on an informal basis, but the new recommendations would clarify the situation and introduce uniformity, a Revenue spokes-person said. The report was carried out by senior management within the Revenue Commissioners and has already been considered by the Revenue board. [continues 246 words]
