Merchants: Heroin a national crisis

THE scourge of heroin is now a “national crisis” the country’s largest voluntary drug service has said.

Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) said they were seeing 20 new heroin injectors every week, with users coming from all over the country.

“In 2008 we have seen an alarming increase in drug use outside of Dublin,” said MQI chief executive Tony Geoghegan. “Heroin respects no borders and users are now to be found in all areas, from Ballyshannon to Ballydehob.