DEADLY SYRINGE HAZARD IN DRUG CAMPS

TWO abandoned drug camps littered with more than 500 potentially
lethal needles have been discovered in woodlands surrounding Winchester.

Drug addicts shooting up heroin and drinking the prescribed painkiller
methadone used the camps, which were discovered by shocked dog walkers.

Police say they've never seen anything like it and are working with
local needle exchange services to crack down on the number of syringes
handed out to addicts.

The first camp was found to the south of the city at Bushfield Camp,
an abandoned army base off Badgers Farm Road.

The torched site was strewn carelessly with more than 200 new and used
needles, plus more than 60 empty unmarked bottles that are believed to
have contained methadone. Four burnt out tents, gas cylinders and a
beer barrel were also left behind.

A second camp was discovered to the north of the city just four days
later in woodland off Hillier Way, near Winchester Rugby Club and
Winchester Football Club.

The scene was remarkably similar, with more than 300 new and used
needles dumped on the ground, along with four burnt out tents.

Wearing protective safety equipment, contractors and neighbourhood
wardens from Winchester City Council removed the syringes and cleaned
up the sites within 24 hours of them being reported.

It's believed the camps could have been there since last summer, but
were hidden from the public and normal patrol routes.

Winchester District acting chief inspector Jim Pegler said an
investigation had been launched to find out who used the camps and how
they got hold of the needles and methadone.

"These two camps are of a concern definitely and we are keen to find
out what on earth that's about because the numbers of syringes there
is significant," he said.

"It is something that I've not come across before and it's something
we will certainly be alert to. If people know anything about these
encampments then we would love to hear from them."

Needles are available from drug dropin clinics, mobile exchange
services and pharmacies, while methadone can be prescribed by GPs
after an addict is assessed.

A freedom of information request by the Daily Echo has revealed a rise
in the number of needles found dumped in Winchester.

In 2006, just 43 needles were found on open ground. That figure more
than tripled last year to 132 - including one needle found on a
school's grounds.

Including the needles found at the abandoned camps, on March 24 and
28, 608 needles were picked up by the council in the first three
months of this year.

Sue Wilks, head of the Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said
needles were given out to minimise the risk of spreading killer
diseases such as HIV/Aids.

"Obviously when needles are given out to people there is an
expectation that they will exercise a level of responsibility to try
and ensure they return any unused boxes and put used needles back into
the sharps boxes that are provided."