Kids haunt graveyard drugs den
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A MIX of children's toys, drug addict paraphernalia and empty booze bottles were found lying side-by-side in a derelict building in Wick this week.
Alerted by a concerned local man, the paper investigated the former gate lodge house at Wick Cemetery and found evidence that heroin had been injected there with a syringe lying close to children's sweet wrappers and novelty items.
"I've seen kids walking over from the shops on the other side of the road [South Road] and go in that place with their Kinder eggs," said the man who wished to remain anonymous.
"When I went into the place a bit later to see what was going on I was shocked to see a syringe and other stuff."
Caithness civic leader and Highland councillor Willie Mackay said: “This is terrible news that vandals and drug users are alleged to be using the old lodge house in Wick Cemetery as a drug den. I hear that this was a boarded-up and unoccupied house which is worse.
"Whoever owns that house will have to install some enhanced security and motion-sensor lights with entry alarm."
The civic leader urged people to call the confidential Crimestoppers hotline if they have any information on the issue.
A Wick businessman had been interested in buying the property but found it impossible to trace the owner – an Italian man who only stayed in it for a few months and was last reported to be living in France.
"I even wrote a letter in French to that address to see if he was interested in selling it but got no response. It's a shame as it could be a really nice place if it was renovated," said the businessman.
The property is said to have rapidly declined after it was broken into about five years ago. Numerous discarded alcohol cans and bottles now litter the floor along with the drug paraphernalia including uncapped syringes and other items commonly used for making a heroin shot. Littering the floor were pieces of burnt tinfoil – another item associated with heroin use when the substance is smoked.
Every interior wall had holes knocked in it and all windows smashed with broken glass strewn across the floors. Within the debris was evidence that children had been in the property – Kinder Egg sweet wrappers and the novelty toys associated with them.
Iain Gregory from Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau (CCAB) advised that anyone becoming aware of injecting equipment should "under no circumstances" touch the syringe or sharp, and that they should "immediately inform the authorities of the location", so that swift and appropriate action can be taken.
"As always, CCAB is available to give advice to anyone who has concerns about public safety issues and we can refer clients to the appropriate agencies if required.”
Mr Gregory said the issues highlighted by the cemetery lodge house involved a "tricky balancing act".
"Clearly we do not want children to be hurt, but neither do we want to see people being 'demonised' simply because they have an addiction. We need to change attitudes."
Beverly Horton from Caithness Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDARS) said: "Discarded needles and other injecting equipment can carry infection or cause injury, so it is important to protect yourself and others by taking care when a needle is discovered."
Ms Horton reiterated the CCAB points and added that syringes should not be put in a litter bin, drain or flushed down the toilet.
CDARS provides local support and treatment for those who are using substances and no appointment is necessary. The service can be contacted on 01955 606915 within working hours.
Contact Highland Council to collect used syringes and other such equipment on 01463 703154 in office hours and 07748 745968 out of hours.
The syringes highlighted in this article have now been safely disposed of and Police Scotland informed of the vandalism.
