Addicts ‘playing Russian roulette’ with deadly drug

A CITY’S addicts are playing “Russian roulette” with a drug up to 10,000 times stronger than heroin.

Deadly fentanyl has claimed the lives of 14 people in Hull this year alone.

It is often cut with heroin and sold to unsuspecting users by greedy dealers.

Recovering addicts Phil Rouse and David Ward, both 44, are longterm hard drugs users who only recently gave up taking heroin.

Phil said: “It’s Russian roulette if heroin contains fentanyl. The majority of people do not know they are getting it until they have had it and it’s often too late by then.”

David and Phil now share a flat in Hull after years on and off the streets.

Phil, who was a promising rugby player before he became hooked on drugs at the age of 17 after suffering an ankle injury, ® said: “The majority of people who live on the streets are taking heroin or drinking.

“I felt depressed enough in the last few months that I wouldn’t have been bothered if it was fentanyl.”

David, who has various mental health issues, began using drugs in 2006 after he found his cell mate hanged. He said: “Some people are scared to take heroin now because of fentanyl but I don’t think it’ll put everyone off. Some people don’t care.”

The Daily Star met the men at a soup kitchen at the St Mary the Virgin church in Hull city centre where the Homeless Outreach group meets.

Volunteer cook Jane D’Arcy, 54, said: “We get kids coming out of care that have got nowhere to go.

“Rents are going up and there aren’t enough council properties.” Parents in ‘Avoid it’ plea to addicts