Where Wordsworth once walked, the drug dealers and pushers now stalk the young

THE LAKE DISTRICT is the last place you would associate with a drugs epidemic. But, according to local drug counsellors it is awash with cheap brown heroin.

The figures are startling - 33 drugs-related deaths in the South Lakes area in the past three years, 500 addicts hooked on heroin and amphetamines.

And that may only represent the tip of the iceberg. As drug action co- ordinator Sean McCollum, pointed out, these are only the people who have come forward: "There are many more out there who don't come to us."

The figures give haunting reality to research published last week by the Home Office, and first revealed by The Independent last month, which showed that heroin use is spreading from the inner-cities into rural areas.

Indeed drug experts believe it is no exaggeration to say that Britain is on the brink of second heroin epidemic aimed at a new and younger group of users including more middle-class teenagers.

Cumbria is listed as one of the areas that has suffered a recent heroin outbreak. It is the kind of trend which will cause major concern in a rural area not experienced in dealing with such problems.

Coroner Ian Smith, whose court covers the South Lakes area, expressed his concern. He said of the deaths: "Many of these are methadone and a few heroin. There has been a black market in methadone in the area. With the help of local doctors and chemists we have instigated a scheme where methadone is only supplied under very strict supervision."

In a recent report, Mr Smith said that the numbers of recent drug deaths were up "threefold" on the figures for the early 1990s.

Paul Crossley, of the Barrow-based, Furness Drug and Alcohol Concern, said: "Heroin is easily available in the South Lakes area. It is becoming the drug of first choice. We have had a dramatic increase in the numbers of drug users coming to see us, especially those who use heroin. It's not just Barrow but spreads right across the most remote areas."

Furness Drug and Alcohol Concern says the number of contacts with people has increased from 49 in May to 56 in June to 75 last month. "About a third are people with heroin problems. The advantage of heroin to young people is its cheapness and hideability," Mr Crossley said.

"We mirror the national problem but it is twice as bad, I would say, as in London. The North-west has just about the highest heroin rate of use in the country. We are not as bad at Liverpool but it is heading that way."

There have even been suggestions that some of the heroin is being smuggled ashore on the isolated beaches on the coast between Barrow and the Scottish border.

Other local sources say heroin use has not yet reached epidemic proportions in the area. The police are more cautious, although there were a series of drugs raids in the town last week.

Superintendent Steve Murray, of Barrow Police, says that there is a growing heroin problem and the area reflects national trends. Chief Inspector Andy Bell, of Kendal Police, holds a similar view.

Barrow police are also trying a new initiative referring those arrested for drug offences for immediate treatment. Normally, those arrested await social service reports before being offered treatment for drug problems. "We are trying to nip the problem in the bud," said a police spokeswoman.