Deadly threat of rogue drug batch
Police have issued a warning about a batch of rogue heroin on the streets of Swansea which may already have claimed at least one life, and led to a number of non-fatal overdoses.
The finger of blame is being pointed at a new delivery of drugs that have come into the area — possibly of a higher strength or purity, or mixed, or cut with other substances.
This is a subject few people care to think about, but it is a topic the workers at Swansea Drugs Project see every day.
Project director Ifor Glyn said: "When you take a drug, especially a powder, you can never really know what is in it, or how strong it is.
"We have seen an increase in overdoses recently, which suggests new suppliers in Swansea, or drugs from a new source.
"For example, most of the heroin we see comes down the M4 corridor. It could be there is a new source."
Police have long warned that drug gangs from London are targeting South West Wales. Drugs are also believed to come into the area from Merseyside-based criminal organisations.
The sad consequences of such cross-border trade confronted worshippers at St David's Priory Church in the centre of Swansea last week.
Police believe the death of Danielle Brock, aged 26, from Morriston was drugs related — in particular that it was due to the so-called rogue batch.
Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Azzopardi, from Swansea CID, said: "There have been a number of overdoses and two deaths believed to be related to heroin within the past few days.
"At this time, we are not aware whether this is a bad batch or a different purity from that normally circulating within Swansea.
"I am asking anyone who is using heroin, in particular, to take extra care and, if necessary, seek advice as to how to stop and stay safe.
"There are a number of harm reduction agencies within Swansea as well as GPs and the Drugs and Alcohol Helpline."
This is where Mr Glyn and the drugs project often come in.
"There is no such thing as a safe drug. Every drug carries a risk — from a harm reduction point of view, it is about reducing the risks.
"When drugs are seized, they can be analysed to find out what is in them and how strong they are.
"A so-called rogue batch of drugs could be more pure than usual, or could be cut with something else.
"If somebody who uses the drug takes the same amount they are used to from a new supply, it can lead to an overdose.
"We have seen an increase in non-fatal overdoses," he added.
"The danger increases when people mix a drug like heroin with other substances such as alcohol, Valium or temazepam. All these effect the central nervous system. They slow down breathing and heart rate, which can lead to fatal consequences."
With a rogue batch on the streets, Mr Glyn said users' safety had to be a priority.
"The important thing is saving lives," he said.
"If someone has a new supply of drugs, they shouldn't just assume it is okay and take the same quantity as before — take a smaller amount to be sure."
Perhaps this is the kind of advice few people want to think about.
But the reality is the so-called war on drugs involves both law enforcement, and health and social care.
Police are certainly taking action — barely a day goes by without drugs raids somewhere in South West Wales. Big gangs are also being disrupted.
This summer, Phillip Grinter, from Aberdyberthi Street, Hafod, was sentenced to 13 years for being part a gang of 12 men and women that shipped £840,000 worth of cocaine from Liverpool to the streets of South Wales.
The arrest and conviction came after a seven-month inquiry which involved tracking gang members across the country, as well as covert surveillance and the bugging of suspects.
When police smashed the gang, they recovered seven kilos of cocaine — one of the biggest seizures in Wales in recent years.
But the fight against illegal drugs also involves saving the lives of those already using — needle exchanges, treatment, and, sometimes, emergency care.
Mr Ifor said: "We have very good partnership working in Swansea with police, hospitals, ambulance and drugs agencies. I think in many ways we are leading the way in Wales in this area."
Mr Azzopardi has said there is little evidence that demand for Class A drugs is lessening in Swansea — sadly, this is one sector of the economy where it seems there are still plenty of sellers and buyers.
A rogue batch of drugs is another factor in the narcotics lottery.
Following the discovery of Ms Brock's body outside St Mary's, the congregation said prayers for her.
Everyone dealing with the effects of drugs needs all the help they can get.
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