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| Drug 'speedballing' on the rise | Drug 'speedballing' on the rise |
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| A charity has voiced fears at the rising number of drug users taking heroin and crack cocaine together. | A charity has voiced fears at the rising number of drug users taking heroin and crack cocaine together. |
| DrugScope looked at 20 UK locations and found many users were "speedballing" for a stimulant-sedative effect. | DrugScope looked at 20 UK locations and found many users were "speedballing" for a stimulant-sedative effect. |
| It warned the practice could lead to rising crime, saying, on average, speedballers have three times as many convictions as heroin-only users. | It warned the practice could lead to rising crime, saying, on average, speedballers have three times as many convictions as heroin-only users. |
| It found they spent an average £500 a week on drugs compared with £110 for heroin users. | It found they spent an average £500 a week on drugs compared with £110 for heroin users. |
| Martin Barnes, the chief executive of Drugscope, said the risks associated with speedballing were very serious. | |
| "Evidence shows there is a greater risk of overdose, you're much more likely to inject more often, and there are greater links to crime. | |
| "It's a combination of very powerful sedative and stimulant drug, so it does create a sort of different effect, but it really is a very risky and dangerous combination of drug." | |
| In presenting its study, DrugScope highlighted a survey of 100 drug addicts by Dr Russell Newcombe at Manchester drugs charity Lifeline. | In presenting its study, DrugScope highlighted a survey of 100 drug addicts by Dr Russell Newcombe at Manchester drugs charity Lifeline. |
| If this trend continues, it will be bad news for attempts to reduce the spread of injecting-related diseases and the number of drug overdoses Harry ShapiroDruglink magazine Many 'abusing steroids' | If this trend continues, it will be bad news for attempts to reduce the spread of injecting-related diseases and the number of drug overdoses Harry ShapiroDruglink magazine Many 'abusing steroids' |
| His research revealed speedballing was the main way to take drugs for 80% of those interviewed - the figure was 25% a decade ago. | His research revealed speedballing was the main way to take drugs for 80% of those interviewed - the figure was 25% a decade ago. |
| The trend also created the potential for increases in overdoses and viral infections, the charity said. | The trend also created the potential for increases in overdoses and viral infections, the charity said. |
| Harry Shapiro, editor of the charity's Druglink magazine, said: "Although speedballing isn't a new phenomenon, it is clearly on the increase and if this trend continues, it will be bad news for attempts to reduce the spread of injecting-related diseases and the number of drug overdoses." | Harry Shapiro, editor of the charity's Druglink magazine, said: "Although speedballing isn't a new phenomenon, it is clearly on the increase and if this trend continues, it will be bad news for attempts to reduce the spread of injecting-related diseases and the number of drug overdoses." |
| Anabolic steroids | Anabolic steroids |
| Speedballing was on the rise in Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Ipswich and York, DrugScope found. | Speedballing was on the rise in Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Ipswich and York, DrugScope found. |
| In Liverpool and Ipswich it was reported that dealers were offering free crack with heroin. | In Liverpool and Ipswich it was reported that dealers were offering free crack with heroin. |
| Eleven of the 20 areas survey also showed a significant anabolic steroids problem, involving males as young as 16 attempting to get a muscular physique. | Eleven of the 20 areas survey also showed a significant anabolic steroids problem, involving males as young as 16 attempting to get a muscular physique. |
| The risks of taking such drugs include reduced sperm count, kidney and liver problems, high blood pressure and increased aggression. | The risks of taking such drugs include reduced sperm count, kidney and liver problems, high blood pressure and increased aggression. |
| There is also the risk of contracting diseases such as HIV for those who inject steroids. | There is also the risk of contracting diseases such as HIV for those who inject steroids. |
| DrugScope described the trend as "extremely worrying". | DrugScope described the trend as "extremely worrying". |
| Blackpool, London, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Torquay, Cardiff, Manchester, Portsmouth, Luton and Newcastle were among the places found to be suffering rising steroid abuse. | Blackpool, London, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Torquay, Cardiff, Manchester, Portsmouth, Luton and Newcastle were among the places found to be suffering rising steroid abuse. |
| DrugScope surveyed 80 drug agencies and police forces for its study. | DrugScope surveyed 80 drug agencies and police forces for its study. |