Whats the score? (From Western Telegraph)

Whats the score?

There are no exact figures available to show how many heroin addicts there are in Pembrokeshire, but the numbers are rising.

Paul Moynes, a team leader and clinical nursing specialist from the West Wales Substance Misuse Service, has described heroin use as a developing trend.

He said: The cost of heroin is going down in Pembrokeshire as the drug becomes more widely available.

Detective Sergeant John Davies and Detective Inspector Lyn Harries, of Dyfed-Powys Police, have seen a distinct change in Pembrokeshires heroin scene recently.

DI Harries said: Until this year, heroin addiction was limited to a small number of middle-aged users who would share the drug and were very close socially. Since the start of this year, there has been a noticeable shift towards a younger market. Most new users are in their twenties; we have yet to find anyone younger than that.

The north of the county; Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Fishguard, have been most affected by this shift.

People who would have used cannabis or ecstasy are now being targeted by heroin dealers. Heroin guarantees dealers a stable market for the future while these more recreational drugs do not.

DI Harries said: Some people will give heroin away free to cement a market for themselves in the future. Its quite possible that this is going on down here.

Heroin bought in bulk can be got as cheaply as £30 per gram while it sells for £100 - £120 per gram; providing more profit than cannabis. Quantities of heroin are also very small and much easier to conceal than cannabis.

Two years ago, Pembrokeshires pro-active policing unit was set up to look at crime and drugs.

DS Davies is the head of the unit of six constables.

The big difference for a pro-active unit is that they have to go out and find the crime that they are charged with stopping. said DI Harries.

DS Davies added: Surveillance plays a large part in our work. We will target someone that we know is involved in heroin in some way and wait for them to make a move. It is very difficult to catch people with heroin because when they have it they tend to use it right away. Its not the kind of drug that people will have lying around.

In addition, the quantities involved are normally so small that they are easily swallowed or otherwise disposed of if needs be. For these reasons, it is easier to catch people who are trafficking because they will have a larger quantity of the drug and more related paraphernalia such as tin foil, plastic bags and sensitive scales.

The unit has had some recent successes. Six people have been charged with heroin trafficking offences in the last three months.

Every seizure made by the police will have an effect on the heroin-using community, and it is for this reason that the police must work with community services to provide a safety net for the addict once the supply is taken away.

Heroin users will flit between being addicts and being occasional users, there is no concrete dividing line between them. An occasional user (the vast majority of those known to the service in Pembrokeshire) will usually smoke rather than inject, while heavy users will be more likely to inject to avoid wastage.

The West Wales Substance Misuse Service provides front line assistance to heroin users through the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust.

People can refer themselves to the service and can also be referred by a GP, a mental health specialist, family or friends. Although probation officers can make referrals they may not be part of a court order. No-one can be sent to the service against their will.

Anyone coming to the service will be given a care plan, the central aspect of which is continual assessment.

Often one of the first things is to stabilise the drug intake. If someone is on several types of medication then the aim will be to get them onto a clear and suitable course.

Getting people off drugs is the eventual aim but the service will not force people too far or too fast and would rather be flexible than lose someone.

It is possible for someone to be on a substitute prescription programme indefinitely, as having their habit stable and under control is seen as more important than a potentially botched attempt at forcing them in to a detoxification programme.

In a programme of substitute prescription, methadone is prescribed as a replacement for heroin. A reduction in methadone dose will be seen as progress. The users health and social life will improve and the burden on society from petty crime and anti-social behaviour will be eased.

Assessment is the key to a successful detoxification process. It has to be clear that the person is at a suitable stage for the process and that they want to be detoxified.

Detoxification is not an end to the process, it is part of a much more broad-ranging shift in lifestyle.

It has to be decided whether or not detoxification can be carried out with the person living where they are.

Would they need to be an in-patient? Would they have to be placed in alternative accommodation? Do they have mental health problems? Have they shown any evidence of self-harm? Are they on other medication or other illicit drugs?

Liaison with housing services, social services and psychiatric services is an important part of the process.

The service is careful not to detach substance abuse from other factors in a persons life. Mr Moynes believes that addiction can only be understood by asking a two part question of the user. Firstly: What are they getting out of it? and secondly; What are they trying to avoid?

Its a wrap

Heroin use is extremely costly. Pembrokeshires heaviest users get through up to half-a-gram of heroin every day.

With heroin now retailing for £100 per gram, this adds up to a weekly bill of over £350.

For these heavy users, the cost of maintaining their intake and avoiding withdrawal symptoms is nearly £1,500 every month.

Even occasional users will get through around £40 worth of heroin a week, adding nearly £200 to their monthly expenses.

Being addicted to heroin is extremely expensive.

A need for fast, disposable income leads to drug-related theft and burglary. Because of the increased levels of drug-related crime that accompany its use, heroin has been made a priority by police.

It is thought that by cutting down on heroin use, police will also be cutting crime levels.

Spotting the signs Listing possible signs of drug abuse that friends and relatives can look out for is always a risky business.

Although there are many such signs; changes in sleeping and eating habits, appearance, friends and interests, these signs are often seen in teenagers and young adults who are not involved with drugs in any way. It is very easy to confuse the natural aspects of growing up as being an indication of something far more harmful.

Despite these problems, it is a fact that the heroin scene in Pembrokeshire continues to affect younger and more vulnerable people.

Parents and friends who suspect that their loved ones may be involved may benefit from the following advice when dealing with them.

Try not to accuse them, as this may lead to confrontation. If you are wrong, you could damage your relationship.

Try to find a time to discuss the issue when you are unlikely to be interrupted.

Dont ever try to talk to them if you suspect they are under the influence of drugs at the time.

Decide how you will react if they tell you they have used drugs.

Ask them to talk about their drug use and listen to what they say. Show that your main concern is for their health and safety.

Let them know that you will be on hand to support them through any problems they face.

Try to make them realise that they are responsible for their own actions and the consequences of them.

If you or anyone you know is involved with drugs, there are several helplines which may be helpful:

National Drug Helpline: 0800 776600 West Wales Substance Misuse Service: 01646 690327

Alcohol counselling services

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0845 769 7555

Drinkline: 0800 917 8282

Prism: 01437 769484