| Heroin is cut with other substances to maximise dealers’ profits and whatever red heroin has been cut with creates new and potentially fatal risks.
The drug, off-red in colour, crystallises quickly in the syringe so addicts must shoot up quickly.
And drugs workers fear this could lead to blockages, vein damage, abscesses or deep vein thrombosis. Users have reported deep levels of unconsciousness and significant memory loss.
It is understood the drug also severely impairs motor skills and leaves users incoherent.
There is less heroin on the streets thanks to police crackdowns and fewer shipments reaching Europe from Afghanistan.
This forces some addicts to use any heroin, no matter how dangerous.
Tayside Police drugs co-ordinator Wendy Symington said, “Red heroin is believed to be circulating in some parts of Tayside.
“The quality of this drug is very poor and could lead to serious health issues.”
Vered Hopkins, from the Dundee Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said drugs workers were also aware of contaminated heroin being sold.
She added, “Whenever there is a successful crackdown and less availability of heroin, people make do with stuff that is less safe.”
Heroin dealers in Dundee have been targeted by Tayside Police recently in Operation Waterloo. |
