The Big Issue in Scotland is demanding a public inquiry after the death of one of its vendors from the mystery illness which has killed 33 drug injectors in the UK and Ireland. The magazine said heroin addict Sammy Johnstone followed the advice of Greater Glasgow Health Board when abscesses appeared on his legs. He went to an accident and emergency department at the Victoria Infirmary. Staff allegedly sent him back to the hostel where he was living after a 10-minute consultation.
Homeless people receive a second-rate health service and are dying as a result.
Despite the publicity surrounding the mystery illness that is killing heroin users in Glasgow, nobody has highlighted the number of these people who were homeless at the time of their deaths. Meanwhile, health experts from across the UK met in Glasgow to discuss the illness, which has claimed 16 lives in the city and another two in Aberdeen. They now believe bacteria may be to blame for the illness, which has also claimed eight lives in Dublin and is suspected of killing another seven drug users in England and Wales. The cases in England and Wales came to light after tests were carried out following the deaths of addicts in Manchester and Liverpool. Experts are investigating the cases of a further 32 heroin users across the UK and Ireland who are showing similar symptoms.