Rogue heroin suspected in Carlton street death (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rogue heroin suspected in Carlton street death

8:50am Friday 8th February 2008 in Swindon By Hayley Court

POLICE are warning drug addicts they may be putting themselves in greater danger after reports that a rogue batch of heroin is on Swindon's streets.

The deadly cocktail contains date-rape drug rohypnol - a strong pre-anaesthetic which incapacitates the user.

The warning comes two days after the body of a man was found in the stairwell of a town centre car park.

Ambulance staff were called to Carlton Street car park, off Carfax Street, at 1pm on Wednesday after receiving a call from a member of the public.

The 24-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

He has yet to be identified but police believe he died from a suspected drug overdose.

Chief Inspector Simon Dicks of Gablecross police station, said: "The young man was discovered on the fifth floor of the car park and is believed to have died from a heroin overdose.

"Sadly, this is somewhere where a lot of heroin users attend to take their drugs."

The family of the man has been informed of his death.

"For any family to grieve the death of a loved one through drugs is completely unacceptable," said Chief Insp Dicks.

The rogue batch of heroin came to light after officers began to investigate the death of the man.

"It is the responsibility of everyone in Swindon to see this drug off the streets," said Chief Insp Dicks.

"Anyone who knows anything about the peddling of this drug must make contact with us immediately.

"Heroin is a dangerous drug as it is, without having another dangerous drug like rohypnol mixed with it."

Chief Insp Dicks said that the force's priority was to find those peddling the dangerous cocktail as well as getting users into programmes where their addiction can be tackled.

Addicts who may have concerns about the rogue heroin batch can call Swindon's drugs and homelessness initiative on 01793 617177.

A spokesperson for the service said: "If anyone is concerned that they may have taken something faulty they can certainly contact us. The important thing at the moment is not to panic but to be aware."

Anyone with information about the rogue batch can contact Gablecross Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.