Middle-class heroin use rising as drug spreads nationwide
Thursday December 27 2007
'It is ironic that the recent publicity about the dangers of cocaine in the past few weeks could also turn drug users to heroin'
HEROIN has spread across the country and into middle-class areas -- and will still be the main killer drug in 2008, drug experts warned last night.
The forecast of a big increase in heroin deaths in the coming year is based on intelligence about a major growth in heroin supplies across Europe and its spread here across the country and into wealthy areas.
The grim warning comes despite recent fears about cocaine usage.
The amount of heroin seized this year when gardai and customs officials recovered over 125kg is roughly similar to the previous 12 months and has an estimated street value of €25m.
But drug agencies are concerned at the intelligence patterns showing that heroin is no longer confined to poor, deprived areas of major cities, particularly Dublin.
Investigations
Garda investigations uncovered a kilogram of heroin in west Cork and another kilogram in Cork city while an operation in Galway led to the arrest of 15 suspected street traffickers dealing solely in heroin.
Increased usage of the drug was also found in three Tipperary towns, Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel, while it was also detected in previously unlikely spots such as Ballina.
Control of the heroin trade is largely in the hands of crime gangs based in west and south Dublin where there has been a large number of addicts in suburbs ranging from Tallaght across to Clondalkin, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot, Blanchardstown and Finglas.
Statistics on seizures show a rapid increase in the levels of heroin smuggled into the country in the past three years with the annual figure up almost fivefold from 26kg to 125kg.
And although the volume has been consistent over the past two years, experts are bracing themselves for a big increase on the streets in 2008 and a rise in purity levels.
European police intelligence officials have disclosed that more than 800 metric tonnes of heroin have been produced in Afghanistan this year and the extra supply will flow onto the streets in the coming months.
A senior garda officer told the Irish Independent last night: "The increase in availability of heroin and in its potency will mean that a worrying rise in related deaths is inevitable.
Ironic
"It is ironic that the recent publicity about the dangers of cocaine in the past few weeks could also turn drug users to heroin and as its usage widens it is likely that more people will smoke it rather than inject", he said.
Meanwhile, cocaine seizures this year jumped dramatically, mainly as a result of a haul of 1,500kg in Dunlough Bay in Cork last July. This brought the overall total up to 1,700kg, compared to the 2006 total of 190kg, a marginal rise excluding Cork.
The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is €119m.
A big rise in ecstasy use is also disclosed. The overall haul of 400,000 tablets, worth €4m on the streets and compared with only 146,000 tablets last year, includes major seizures in Abbeyleix, Kildare, Ballyfermot, Drogheda, Sligo, Blanchardstown and Cabinteely.
The pattern of seizures again confirms ecstasy is being used in every town in the country and mainly by young people in nightclubs and pubs.
Cannabis resin seizures dropped from 6,900kg to 1,700kg but cannabis herb was up from 289kg to 1,800kg. This supported garda views that herbal cannabis has become more popular here.
The total street value of seized drugs this year is reckoned to be close to €200m.
Justice Minister Brian Lenihan warned last night that progress could not be achieved in the war on illegal drugs unless society was prepared to play its part and accept some responsibility.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
