PROBE INTO HEROIN START-UP PACKS

ADELAIDE

Police are investigating claims that free heroin start-up packs are being
distributed on Adelaide streets.

Drugs and alcohol policy section acting Senior Sergeant Paul Taggart said
police had been told drug dealers were targeting young people with the packs
to get them hooked.

Senior Sergeant Taggart said the free packs were believed to include a
needle and syringe, an ampoule of water, swabs and a small amount of heroin.

"The indications are that it's small-time dealers that are doing it, perhaps
to capture a larger market," he said.

"The information I have suggests they are targeting young people who may not
have previously used the drug."

Senior Sergeant Taggart said police were following up anecdotal evidence
about the packs through Operation Mantle, the city-wide program aimed at
stemming the illicit drug trade.

He said there were enough reports about the packs to cause concern.

Senior Sergeant Taggart said he had not heard of the same tactic in other
Australian cities, but would not be surprised if it was going on elsewhere.

Mission SA homeless and youth shelter acting manager Leonie Karlsson said
she had talked to people who had been offered the packs, mostly 15 to
17-year-olds.

She said it seemed to have been going on for about two months and she was
concerned that teenagers would take the free kit without considering the
consequences.

"My concern is that with the lack of information that the young people have,
we need to inform them this is not a favor, it is not somebody doing you a
good turn," she said.

She said with the length of time it took to develop an addiction to heroin,
it seemed clear that the dealers involved were committed to a long-term,
organised approach to developing a market.

"The only consolation is that they are being given clean needles," she
said. -AAP