40% of heroin addicts started on drugs by age 14

TWO out of five heroin addicts took their first drug when they were aged between 10 and 14, according to a garda survey.

This marks a significant rise on 1997 - when only a quarter of heroin users started on drugs this young.

The survey of 131 heroin users found 35% of addicts funded their habit through crime, mainly shoplifting, burglary, robbery and drug dealing. Some 66 users (44%) admitted to selling drugs at some stage to feed their habit.