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Crack cocaine and heroine users spike in West Midlands as prices drop

The number of crack cocaine and heroin users across the West Midlands rose by more than 2,000 over four years, according to new figures.

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Crack cocaine and heroin use has risen by more than 2,000 over four years

A report by Public Health England estimated there were 35,381 users of both crack and opiates including heroin in the year to March 2017, an increase of 7.2 per cent on the same period in 2013.

Experts warn that youngsters were becoming hooked on hard drugs as "pocket money prices", with crack rocks being sold on the region's streets for £5.

The figures refer to addicts aged 15-64 and do not include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis.

In 2017 Staffordshire had 3,855 users, Sandwell had 2,400, Wolverhampton had 2,233 and there were an estimated 2,061 addicts in Dudley.

There were said to be 1,915 heroin and crack addicts in Walsall.

Addiction treatment experts at UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT) said the number of young people across the region using hard drugs was particularly concerning, with figures showing there more than 3,000 users aged 15-24.

“Public Health England’s data clearly shows that an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are addicted to these incredibly potent substances," UKAT’s CEO and former addict Eytan Alexander said.

“They’re seeking the feeling of euphoria at pocket money prices – crack rocks can be purchased for as little as a fiver with dealers available any time of day at the click of a button.

“Teenagers misusing crack and opiates at such an early age will not only suffer with the physical effects of the drugs, but the drugs could impact their education, overall achievement in life and expose them to a criminal environment at a young age, without full understanding of the risks and consequences of their actions."

According to the PHE data the number of people recorded as using crack and opiates aged 25-34 stands at 10,496, with a further 21,691 people hooked aged 35-64.

Mr Alexander added: “The impact of a person misusing these drugs in later life has a knock-on effect on their family, children, spouses as well as their own personal health, which will deteriorate at a much faster pace if drug use continues, and for some, will prove fatal.”

A recent Government report said that the spike in people using crack was being fuelled by a lack of police on the streets and aggressive marketing by dealers.

Users featured in the PHE and Home Office report said the drug was being delivered “quicker than a pizza” at cheap prices, containing various combinations of crack and heroin.

So-called 'county lines' operations, where dealers run drugs from cities to towns and rural locations using children as mules, is also contributing to the increase, the report said.

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