| Since claims were made this week that some areas of the city were awash with the drug, politicians, police bosses and community activists have debated the issue.
But, following an appeal to our readers, the Tele can now tell some of the stories of those who have first-hand experience of the problem.
From addicts and their families to counsellors and health experts, we have talked to those on the front line.
We discover some of the heartbreak, disruption and crime to which addiction leads.
One mum tells how her whole family was ripped apart by her son’s dependency and eventual death.
A court case earlier this week heard that police surveillance recorded 50 people visiting a flat in five hours.
This would appear to be going on in other areas, with one tenant of a Lochee multi telling the Tele his building was experiencing similar problems.
Meanwhile, Dundee East MSP Shona Robison, Scotland’s public health minister, wrote to Tayside’s Chief Constable John Vine asking him what the force intends to do to protect the community.
She subsequently declared she was satisfied the police were doing all they could. And her counterpart in Dundee West, Joe FitzPatrick, has said the city is not awash with heroin, stating it is no more than any other city.
But Chief Superintendent Colin McCashey, divisional commander for the city, concedes there has been a significant increase in availability of the drug.
He added, “The fact that its misuse is more widespread in the city than ever before should concern us all.” |
