Decrease in Heroin Worrying

Concateno, Europe's biggest drug testing company, has revealed a significant decrease in the use of heroin in the UK, as reported by the BBC.

In fact, the number of addicts testing positively for heroin had halved in the past six months. Although the Serious Organized Crime Agency says that this development has been due to the supply routes being blocked and consequently, the street price being doubled, it is also true that there is a widespread 'heroin drought'. The lack of pure heroin is due to a number of issues including a fungus that has affected the poppy crop in Afghanistan, and greater law enforcement.

Peter Akrill, head of Oral Fluids Analytical Services commented that the danger now is suppliers could be bulking it up by using other substances which means users would need more of this adulterated form to get the high they have been used to. Then, when they return to using pure heroin, it could result in an overdose and fatal incidences.

The government has allocated �125 million to fund drug testing equipment and infrastructure, as well as the management of drug misusing offenders. It has also recently published a new drug strategy which focuses on drug-free recovery and tracking down dealers.

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Source: Medindia