Giuseppe
Emeritus
Anthrax deaths expose addicts' plight
[Source: Guardian Unlimited.co.uk, View Original Article. 7/11/10, excerpt, edited.]
After 13 deaths from infected heroin, drug counsellors slam 'demonisation' that stops users getting better treatment
A spate of deaths among heroin users whose drugs were contaminated with anthrax has highlighted how addicts are "demonised" and struggle to get treatment, according to experts.
Since the contaminated batch was first detected in the UK last Christmas, almost 50 addicts have been admitted to hospital, while 13 have died.
Anthrax-related heroin deaths are extremely rare, and in the past were unheard of in the UK. There has been only one known previous outbreak among heroin users, and that took place in Norway in 2000.
The vast majority of the deaths in this new outbreak have occurred in Scotland, predominantly in Glasgow. Several heroin users have also contracted anthrax poisoning in England, and so far one person has died. There has also been one fatality in Germany and nine in Portugal, although the cause of these deaths is disputed. Drugs counsellors have told the Observer of their frustration that, as the crisis mounted, they were unable to help worried addicts switch to alternative drugs, such as methadone, because of lengthy waiting lists.
(...)
Jamie Doward
guardian.co.uk ? Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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[Source: Guardian Unlimited.co.uk, View Original Article. 7/11/10, excerpt, edited.]
After 13 deaths from infected heroin, drug counsellors slam 'demonisation' that stops users getting better treatment
A spate of deaths among heroin users whose drugs were contaminated with anthrax has highlighted how addicts are "demonised" and struggle to get treatment, according to experts.
Since the contaminated batch was first detected in the UK last Christmas, almost 50 addicts have been admitted to hospital, while 13 have died.
Anthrax-related heroin deaths are extremely rare, and in the past were unheard of in the UK. There has been only one known previous outbreak among heroin users, and that took place in Norway in 2000.
The vast majority of the deaths in this new outbreak have occurred in Scotland, predominantly in Glasgow. Several heroin users have also contracted anthrax poisoning in England, and so far one person has died. There has also been one fatality in Germany and nine in Portugal, although the cause of these deaths is disputed. Drugs counsellors have told the Observer of their frustration that, as the crisis mounted, they were unable to help worried addicts switch to alternative drugs, such as methadone, because of lengthy waiting lists.
(...)
Jamie Doward
guardian.co.uk ? Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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