One of the most severe ‘droughts’ of heroin for five years had been reported in areas across the UK with users being treated after overdosing on heroin mixed with other substances because of the shortage of the opiate across the countrywide. The shortage is due to a fungus that has infested this year’s poppy crop in Afghanistan, literally reducing it by half. Some users have become unconscious after injecting or smoking the drug whereas others have reported vomiting, flu-like symptoms and amnesia. Users are overdosing on the adulterated heroin or what has found to be a cocktail of a powerful sedative mixed with caffeine and paracetamol. Some users were admitted to hospital after taking only very small amounts of what they believed was heroin. Detective Sergeant Allan Thompson of the Drug Trafficking Unit said, “Our figures show a major reduction in the seizure of heroin this year. Other than a ?5,000 haul two weeks ago we have only seized less that ?200 worth of the drug so far this year, as opposed to nearly ?30,000 worth during the whole of last year. Without local seizures to analyse I am unable to comment on the quality of the heroin used on the Island, but looking at the UK picture it’s clear that what was being sold as heroin was mixed with a high percentage of bulking agents such as powerful sedatives and talcum powder. What does concern me is that prices will rise when the drought ends, tolerance will be reduced and the risk of fatal overdoses will increase.” Drug Advice Service & Helpline (DASH) Director, Shelly Stanley said, 'This is an unregulated product and is subject to no controls whatsoever, users will never know what they are buying. As we saw earlier this year there was a widespread infection from Anthrax across the UK from a contaminated batch or batches which killed a number of people, the risks are very real. In times of drought the way to maintain profit is to mix it with other substances, sometimes inert and sometimes quite dangerous. Dealers do not intentionally set out to kill off their customers, it is not in their interest but by mixing potentially dangerous sedatives with a strong sedative such as heroin then the risks are high and as DS Thompson mentioned, once a purer product turns up, the chances of an overdose are very high. We would suggest that anyone who uses heroin seek advice, even if it is just for a health check and not to ignore signs of infection, get it assessed immediately by a medical professional. If you require a confidential chat about yours or are concerned about a family member's heroin or drug use, contact the confidential Dug Advice Service & Helpline (DASH) on 615622. Deputy Governor Colin Ring of Isle of Man Prison presents a strong stance towards drugs as a whole, and upholds the efforts of his staff in seeking out persons attempting to smuggle controlled drugs into the Prison. Operation Design is a joint initiative between the Isle of Man Constabulary and the Isle of Man Prison Service, proactively stopping vehicles and visitors alike, conducting searches and speaking with them about the dangers of drug use both in and out of the Prison. Anyone caught attempting to bring in drugs could face prosecution. ENDS.