Published: Wednesday, 13th February, 2008 11:00
Heroin: 'Deep concern' over local use
By Caitlin Smith
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HEROIN use in the Borders is on the rise.
A local drugs counsellor has spoken out about her fears at the number of local people using the drug.
Michelle Ballantyne of the Reiver Project in Galashiels said that the Class-A drug had been responsible for seven deaths since March 2006.
She told us: “We are deeply concerned about the rise in heroin use in the Borders.
“An unusual factor in this area is that across Scotland heroin deaths usually occur in the 30-40-years-old age bracket, but in the Borders the people who have died have all been in their late teens or early 20s.”
A Scottish Drug Misuse website noted that between March 2006 and 2007, 125 people in the Borders, who had previously not received treatment for their drug problems, approached local services.
And of this 125, 60 of those were treated for heroin addiction.
Of this figure, six per cent first injected before they were 15 years-old and a further 41 per cent injected between 15 – 19 years old.
Ms Ballantyne said that in the last year four people had approached the Reiver Project to get help for heroin addiction. They were aged between 15 and 17.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.
“From speaking to the teenagers who have come forward for help, we hear that there is a growing network of users in Galashiels and the wider Borders area.”
Ms Ballantyne added that young people often don’t have the cash to support their habit, so often turned to a life of crime.
“Teenagers really influence each other and actively encourage members of their peer group, so once there’s one or two users, more are bound to follow.”
A spokesperson for the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) said they were treating the problem as a priority.
“All treatment services are working closely together to help these young people come off drugs by supporting them with information, advice and by helping them address any personal issues that may be underlying their drug use.
“To this end local agencies in the Borders have recently developed inter-agency guidance to address substance misuse among young people.
The spokesperson added: “NHS Borders also offers needle exchange schemes to keep them safe until they are able to stop.
“For those who may be at risk, but not in touch with services, information is made widely available so that they can access information about keeping safe and where to get help.
“Additionally, local agencies work in partnership to provide young people with drugs education in schools to help prevent them from taking drugs in the first place.`
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