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Heroin deaths increase

Thu, 29 May 10:00

Heroin deaths increase

On the rise: Heroin use gaining popularity.

LAST YEAR 90 people died from heroin overdoses in Barcelona and this latest figure reveals a worrying trend that heroin use is on the increase in this region as well.
Heroin was the largest cause of death in the Catalan capital, greater than those who lost their lives in road traffic accidents and suicides.
The victims were all male aged between 15 and 40.
Heroin use has been on the decline for the last decade and the latest figures come as a shock.
Heroin fell from favour compared to other hard drugs, such as cocaine, and with the advent of stronger forms of amphetamine sulphate (speed and crystal-meth) and stronger strains of cannabis (skunk weed). Combine this with the war in Afghanistan, the world’s largest producer and exporter of heroin, and prices did increase compared to other substances of abuse.
The United Nations have said that Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of opium, exporting 8,000 tonnes last year.
Indications are of a bumper crop and supply is outstripping demand and street prices are falling.
It is the Taliban’s biggest money raiser as they tax growers 40 per cent of their earnings.
La Generalitat confirmed that the average age heroin is first taken is between 20-25 years and those already familiar with other illicit substances and illegal immigrants are at greatest risk.

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