By Stefan Morkis

POLICE IN Tayside fear that deadly “red heroin” may have reached the region—and warned addicts to stay away from the contaminated substance.

The heavily cut heroin has already been found in other areas of Scotland, filling supply gaps caused by police operations and fewer shipments from overseas.

Tayside drugs co-ordinator Wendy Symington said, “It is believed to be circulating in some parts of Tayside.

“The quality of this particular drug is very poor and could lead to serious heath issues.”

Heroin is cut with other substances to maximise dealers’ profits and often overdoses occur when an addict uses heroin purer than they are normally used to.

Whatever red heroin has been cut or contaminated with, however, creates new and potentially fatal risks.

The heroin, which is off-red, crystallises quickly in the syringe so addicts must shoot up quickly.

Drugs workers fear this could lead to blockages, vein damage, abscesses or deep vein thrombosis.

There is less heroin on the streets thanks to police crackdowns and fewer shipments reaching Europe from Afghanistan and this is forcing some addicts to use any heroin available, no matter how dangerous.

Vered Hopkins, from the Dundee Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said drugs workers were also aware of contaminated heroin being sold on the streets.

“Earlier in the week we were given a report about contaminated or very strange heroin being sold,” she added.

“Whenever there is a successful crackdown and less availability of heroin then people make do with stuff that is less safe and that is the problem we have.”

Users of red heroin have reported deep levels of unconsciousness and significant memory loss.

It is understood the drug has a heavily sedative effect, severely impairs motor skills and leaves users incoherent.

There have also been reports of the drug causing fatal and non-fatal overdoses.

Heroin dealers in Dundee have been targeted by police in recent weeks.

A series of raids took place in Stobswell and Hilltown as Operation Waterloo cracked down on drugs business in the city.