ONCE again the dreadful risks facing users of hard drugs have been starkly illustrated by an inquest in York. And once again, York coroner David Coverdale has been moved to warn against the dangers of heroin.

Mr Coverdale's latest caution, issued yesterday after he presided over the inquests on three heroin users, was simple: turn your back on heroin or the drug might kill you.

The coroner has carried out more inquests this year on the deaths of young people overdosing on heroin than in any previous year - even though it is only September. Mr Coverdale said he "hoped the message will get over to heroin users and people who are thinking of using heroin that it is a lethal drug".

These latest inquests come only one week after an inquest into the death of an addict who died within three days of arriving in York, thanks in part to the easy availability of heroin. The day before carrying details of that inquest, we reported that heroin in York was now cheaper than 'softer' drugs such as cannabis.

There are a number of salient aspects to the rise in heroin deaths.

Firstly, it is worth reiterating a point made by York Police Chief Superintendent Gary Barnett, who said in this newspaper that people using 'recreational' drugs such as cannabis generally followed a different lifestyle to those who use heroin. So just because heroin is cheaper, this does not mean that cannabis smokers will rush to buy heroin.

Secondly, a degree of perspective is required. Heroin users are small in number and even allowing for the alarming rise in heroin-related deaths, this is not a problem for many people in York.

But deaths from heroin are shocking and they are society's problem, especially as crime and drugs are so tightly entwined.

We are in a sense all affected by this problem and must always remain aware of the dangers of hard drugs.

Updated: 12:53 Friday, September 07, 2001