Heroin batch death risk warning

The drugs can cause abscesses and deep vein thrombosis

A warning has been issued to drug users about poor quality "red heroin" circulating in southern Scotland.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said the drugs had a distinctive "off red" colour and tended to crystallise in a syringe before being injected.

Police said the knock-on effect of this was that users often tried to inject themselves as quickly as possible.

They warned this could cause abscesses and deep vein thrombosis or might prove fatal in a "worst case scenario".

Det Con Scott Jardine urged users to be aware of the risks of injecting the low-quality drug.

Immediate effect

"There is a genuine concern about this contaminated type of heroin circulating in the area and there is a real danger to those who use the drug intravenously," he said.

"Any effects not normally associated with heroin abuse being experienced by users should be reported to medical practitioners as soon as possible."

Police have contacted local needle exchange outlets as well as agencies who work with drug addicts in the region.

Mr Jardine said reports had already been received from drug users about the results of taking the contaminated heroin.

He said: "Information obtained from those who have experienced the effects of this heroin report deep levels of unconsciousness, almost immediately, which can last for long periods of time, and also significant memory loss after the event."