Anthrax warning for addicts

DRUG users in the Lothians have been warned after the first case of anthrax poisoning in the area was discovered.

The new case is the country's 33rd, but the first to have affected the Lothians.

It is thought the poisoned heroin comes from the same batch that has already claimed the lives of 11 drug users. Dr Colin Ramsay, Health Protection Scotland's consultant epidemiologist, said: "There is no way to tell if your heroin is contaminated and no way to take heroin which is less likely to result in illness or death if it has anthrax contamination. The only way to avoid the risk of anthrax is not to take heroin."