ADDICTS WARNED ABOUT DEADLY CONTAMINATED HEROIN

DEADLY contaminated heroin, similar to batches that killed eight users in
Dublin nearly two years ago, may be back.

A warning has been issued after authorities in Britain identified four
suspected cases of wound botulism, commonly known as "trench" disease,
which if not treated leads to abscesses in the muscles, contamination of
the blood, organ failure and eventual death.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre has warned addicts to beware of
the possibility of contracting the condition and seek medical attention if
they develop symptoms such as blurred vision, speech paralysis and
breathing problems.

The warning comes amid fears the market for heroin on the street will grow
as chemists refuse to dispense methadone to new patients. This will lead to
an rise in the numbers seeking the drug .

Botulism is a rare condition caused by a poison which is in turn produced
by a bacterium, clostridium, common in the soil but when mixed with heroin
can be deadly. Tony Geoghan, of the Merchant's Quay Projects, which helps
drug users, said the death of eight people between April and June 2000
highlighted the serious risks that drug dependency carries.

The disease surveillance centre said UK authorities were investigating
three cases in England and one in Scotland.

In a statement, the centre said: "There have been no reports of similar
illness in drug users in Ireland but in view of the uncertainty about
heroin distribution patterns, the NDSC advises the possibility of cases
occurring here."

It added more than 90% of cases are treated but some proved fatal. Those
who died in the last outbreak are thought to not have sought medical
attention soon enough. "As a precautionary measure, the NDSC advises drug
users to try and use as little citric acid as possible and refrain from
sharing needles," the statement continued. The bacterium may be transmitted
via citric acid, a spokeswoman added.

The condition is known as "trench" disease because it was first identified
among soldiers in the First World War.