Treatment and support is needed for the 1,500 users of crack cocaine and heroin living in Dorset.

The latest figures of users of the drugs in the county – not including Bournemouth and Poole – have been revealed in a new report published by Public Health England.

Many of the Dorset users are in Weymouth where the issue of drug addiction has been highlighted as an issue of public concern. Last year the town was said to have some of the highest levels of heroin and morphine misuse deaths in the UK. And calls have previously been made to provide an area in town where addicts can take heroin safely in an effort to reduce the amount of drug-related deaths.

The Public Health report – analysed by addiction treatment experts at UKAT – reveals that almost 30,000 people estimated to be using both crack cocaine and heroin and opiate-based prescription drugs live across the south west region, a figure that has risen by more than 2,000 in just five years. The figures don’t even include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis. The data is based on users identified across the region between March 2016 and March 2017. The number of people in the region aged only 15-24 and using opiates and/or crack cocaine currently stands at more than 2,400. The figures for young users in Dorset were not available.

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.”

Despite the figures for users in the south west rising in recent years the number of users in Dorset has fluctuated. In 2010/11 it was 1,436 and it continued to decrease before it started to rise in 2012/13 to more than 1,500. The peak was in 2014/15 when it was said there were 1,647 users.

Weymouth GP Jon Orrell said: “The numbers ring true from my experience treating people with addictions. A number of points can be made – Dorset is not unique. Each county faces the same problem.”

Dr Orrell added: “The war on drugs approach has failed. Seeing this as a treatment issue rather than criminal justice one has helped in other countries. We could learn from what works elsewhere and take the profits away from crime gangs.”

To find out more about UK Addiction Treatment Centres and how its tackling opiate and crack-cocaine addictions visit ukat.co.uk