haunt Bermuda.

Police say heroin-related arrests have risen as the cost of the drug decreases.

And Addiction Services also claim there has been a heroin upsurge.

Said Mr. Bryant Richards, who runs the group: "I felt a few years ago this would happen. Unfortunately it has come true.'' He added many new faces were appearing at his overstretched service.

Last night Mr. Alastair Macdonald, chairman of the interim steering committee for a National Drugs Strategy, also voiced concern.

Alarm bells have already rung in the United States over soaring heroin use.

Law enforcement officials believe the dreaded cocaine derivative, crack, may have peaked, leaving the door open for heroin.

Readily available, and relatively inexpensive, it is gaining ground in Chicago and New York.

With bumper crops of poppies in Southeast Asia, the drug is hitting the streets in vast quantities.

It has become a lot more addictive, with purity rising from 10 to 40 percent in some cities.

And prices are less than half of what they were five years ago.

Bermuda's Police spokeswoman Sgt. Andrea Browne noted heroin-related arrests had risen, perhaps because of the cost.

AIDS, and the fear of sharing syringes, may have helped the decline of heroin use.

"It appears now some drug users are using both heroin and cocaine together,'' said Sgt. Browne.

Although the 1992 Bermuda Police Report has not been compiled, it is expected to show an increase in heroin use.

Mr. Richards said he noticed trends in the United States usually surfaced here about six to eight months later.

He said heroin had become very attractive to coke users.

"They use heroin to slow down the coke high; to make it last longer,'' he added.

Mr. Richards continued: "We have no definite statistics right now, but be assured that heroin is on the rise.

"We are working on a system that will make it easier for us to supply detailed statistical information regarding drug trends.'' Mr. Macdonald said he had heard the rumours about the heroin increase, although he had no statistics.

"If it is true I would be concerned. Increase in any drug, particularly one so addictive, is worrying.

"We do not, however, have the structure to respond to street information.''