'PURE' HEROIN WARNING

Families and friends of heroin users are being urged to press home urgent
warnings about a potentially lethal batch of the drug.

Strathclyde Chief Constable John Orr said users were not aware that
unusually pure heroin was being sold in the west of Scotland.

He said that because of the lifestyle of many users, they had not seen
warnings on TV or in newspapers.

It is believed the heroin is partly responsible for the rising toll of
drug-related deaths in the Strathclyde force area this year.

There have been 60 suspected heroin fatalities this year - nine more than
1997.

"It is absolutely crucial that drugs abusers - particularly those using
heroin - are fully aware of the risks they face," Mr Orr said.

"For users of the super-pure heroin, - which can be as much as 60% pure -
the odds are stacked even more heavily against them.

"The lifestyles of many drug abusers means they are not easily reached by
conventional methods of communication, such as through the news media.

"Therefore I am urging the families and friends of drug abusers,
particularly those close to people using heroin on its own or with other
drugs, to pass on our warnings."

'As much information as possible'

His comments followed the death of Linda Thomson, 26, who was found at her
home in Glasgow's Easterhouse area.

It is suspected that heroin has been a key factor in 10 further suspected
drugs deaths recorded in the last three weeks.

Mr Orr added: "Sadly, it appears that some drugs misusers may have been
unaware of or ignored our warning.

"The very least we can do is to ensure that they have as much information
as possible about the terrible risks they are taking."

Strathclyde Police have submitted nearly 8,000 reports to the
procurator-fiscal on a range of drugs offences so far this year. Drugs with
a street value of nearly UKP8m have been seized.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan