Rogue heroin fears after deaths

Lab tests are to be carried out on heroin found

Tests are to be carried out to determine whether a contaminated batch of heroin was responsible for the deaths of two people in Inverness.

The city's new provost, Jimmy Gray, said work was under way to establish any link as quickly as possible.

On Friday morning, Angela Spear, 28, died in the Hilton area of Inverness. Rory Devine, 30, was found dead in Ardconnel Street on Saturday.

A third heroin user was resuscitated by paramedics after a suspected overdose.

Northern Constabulary said investigations were continuing and hospitals and drug workers had been put on alert.

'Difficult investigation'

Provost Gray said he was shocked by the deaths and concerned about the circumstances behind the three incidents.

"It's shocking to lose these two lives, and for the families involved it's just an utter waste," he said.

"We need to establish what is going on and sometimes that's not the easiest thing to do.

"People with addiction problems are unlikely to be the most forthcoming towards the agencies and the police.

"We do spend a lot of time trying to understand the issues but obviously we'll need to get closer to it."

NHS Highland appealed to injecting drug users to take extra care.

Harm reduction co-ordinator, John Glenday, said: "We would urge drug users if they are unable to abstain from drugs to smoke, snort or swallow rather than inject them.

"If they must inject they should take basic precautions to reduce the risk of a fatal overdose."

Anyone with any information which could help the investigation has been asked to contact police.