Heroin use is rising amongst the young Information

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Heroin use is rising amongst the young

Drug workers in South Wales have expressed concern that more and more young people are taking heroin, including children as young as six.

Information obtained by BBC Wales revealed that the youngest person arrested in recent years for supplying heroin was aged 10.

Since 2005, 453 young people under 18 have been referred for treatment for heroin addiction across Wales. Of those, 163 were from the Swansea area.

Drug workers in Swansea told the BBC that heroin has become part of youth drug culture, and can be bought for as little as £5.

One drug support worker was quoted by the BBC as saying:

"I think the reason for that is socially within youth culture, young people are getting 'older' in respect to their drug use.

"Years ago, it was a bit of a taboo - you had the label of being a junkie. It doesn't seem to be like that any more.

"It's just part and parcel of drug culture that heroin is involved."

Source: Heroin use among young 'rising', BBC News, 21 April 2020

Article published on 02/05/2020 by PCUG Addiction Treatment