DRUG ILLNESS KILLS 3 MORE

Fears that an unexplained epidemic among heroin users could spread
south across the whole of Britain were given fresh weight yesterday
after three more addicts died of a mystery illness.

Doctors believe the deaths of three drug users in the English Midlands
are related to those of 36 others.

West Midlands Police arrested two men yesterday on suspicion of murder
and another in connection with the supply of the drugs thought to have
claimed the life of one of the victims, Derek Anderson, 45, from
Wolverhampton, discovered on Saturday.

Officers confirmed they were investigating links to deaths in other
areas.

The unexplained disease has claimed 16 lives in Glasgow, 18 in Dublin
and five in Liverpool and Manchester.

Post-mortem examinations are expected to confirm fears that Midlands
addicts, too, have fallen victim to the disease. Police had warned
that contaminated heroin appeared to be circulating.