Survey: Sharp rise in heroin use in midlands

THERE has been an alarming rise in the use of heroin throughout the midlands, including in rural areas.

A report – covering Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath – also found there appeared to be a “chronic problem” with heroin users accessing methadone.

The report by the Midland Regional Drugs Task Force said alcohol remained by far the main problem drug and that, in some areas, excessive drinking appeared to be “accepted as normal”, both by teenagers and adults.