Heroin use 'significant problem'

The community is being urged to help police flush dealers out

Heroin has become much easier to get hold of in Dundee over recent years, a senior police officer has admitted.

Ch Supt Colin McCashey has concerns about the level of crime committed by addicts and the rising numbers of used needles being dumped in the streets.

He also claims that if it was not for medical intervention the number of overdose deaths would be "horrendous".

He promised that they are working on a daily basis to rid the city of dealers and bring them to justice.

Ch Supt McCashey said: "There is absolutely no doubt that the availability of heroin is far greater in Dundee now than it was a number of years ago.

"Heroin presents a significant problem in Dundee. Many of the people who come into the custody of Tayside Police do so because they have a drugs problem for which they commit crime to feed.

"Drugs misuse does not stand in isolation - it gives rise to other crime such as prostitution, street crime, robbery and housebreaking."

We recognise that addicts are victims of heroin too, but as the police we know the harm that they and their dealers have on our society Ch Supt Colin McCashey

He added that robberies are no longer always taking place under cover of darkness, but when an addict needs money for their latest fix.

He urged locals to report any syringes or drugs paraphernalia that they found so the force could build up a picture of problem areas.

Ch Supt McCashey continued: "People often highlight the relative affordability of heroin nowadays as a significant factor in its greater misuse. But it is its availability and the user's absolute dependence on it that are the real threats.

"We see the human cost of heroin addiction and the numbers of overdoses and fatal overdoses are hugely concerning. Were it not for medical intervention the numbers of deaths due to this appalling drug would quite simply be horrendous.

"We recognise that addicts are victims of heroin too, but as the police we know the harm that they and their dealers have on our society."

He urged anyone with information about drug dealing in their area to report it to the police.