Figures reveal more than a 1,000 crack and heroin users in Swindon

Public Health England has recently released a report on the estimated number of crack cocaine and opiate users across each region of England, aged between 15 and 64 years old and Swindon is reported to have 1,075 users.

The report - analysed by addiction treatment experts at UKAT (www.ukat.co.uk) - reveals that almost 30,000 people estimated to be using both crack cocaine and opiates like Heroin and opiate-based prescription drugs live across the South West, a figure that has risen by over 2,000 in just 5 years.

These figures don’t include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis.

The data is based on users identified across the South West between 1st March 2016 and 31st March 2017.

The number of people living across the South West aged only 15-24 and using opiates and/or crack cocaine currently stands at over 2,400.

UKAT’s CEO and former addict Eytan Alexander said: “Public Health England’s data clearly shows that an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are addicted to these incredibly potent substances.

“They’re seeking the feeling of euphoria at pocket money prices- crack rocks can be purchased for as little as a fiver with dealers available any time of day at the click of a button.

“Teenagers misusing crack and opiates at such an early age will not only suffer with the physical effects of the drugs, but the drugs could impact their education, overall achievement in life and expose them to a criminal environment at a young age, without full understanding of the risks and consequences of their actions."

It’s not just the younger population of the South West addicted to crack and opiates. The number of people recorded as using crack and opiates aged 25-34 stands at 7,777 with a further 18,237 people hooked aged 35-64.

Alexander added: “The impact of a person misusing these drugs in later life has a knock-on effect on their family, children, spouses as well as their own personal health, which will deteriorate at a much faster pace if drug use continues, and for some, will prove fatal.”