'No evidence' found of rogue drug

Injecting users have been warned against combining substances

A health expert has said no evidence has been found yet that a purer form or contaminated batch of heroin was to blame for the deaths of five people.

A critical incident group has been set-up in response to the deaths in Inverness during September.

John Glenday, of Highland Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said users should avoid taking a combination of substances, which increases risk.

He added: "There is no safe way to inject illicit drugs."

'Toxicological evidence'

Northern Constabulary and the Procurator Fiscal Service are investigating the five deaths, which police said may be drug-related.

Mr Glenday, the action team's harm reduction coordinator, said those misusing drugs should take precautions regardless of whether there was perceived to be an increased danger.

He said: "We want people to take precautions in every instance rather than think maybe there is a rogue batch or batch of purer strength.

"We don't have any evidence at the moment that is the case."

Mr Glenday said injecting users were a "real cause for concern" and advice to them centred around making them aware of the risks of taking a combination of drugs.

Action team chairwoman Jaci Douglas added: "The Highland Drug and Alcohol Action Team is constantly working to extend the range and accessibility of services for drug users in Highland.

"Details of the full range of services available can be found on our website www.hdaat.org.uk."

A police statement said: "The critical incident group is being convened, with representatives of Northern Constabulary, the Procurator Fiscal Service and NHS Highland, to look at the circumstances of each death, pending full information being provided by way of pathological and toxicological evidence.

"In the meantime Northern Constabulary and the Procurator Fiscal Service would wish to endorse the advice which has already been provided by NHS Highland through the Highland Drug and Alcohol Action Team to injecting drug users."