THE number of people in Thanet receiving treatment for heroin addiction has risen for the third year in a row.

Figures released by the Thanet Community Safety Partnership (TCSP) reveal that 400 people sought help after admitting they took the class A drug in 2009/10 – an increase of 25 per cent on 2007/8.

There are fears that number could increase further this year, as people turn to drugs after losing their jobs or struggling to meet mortgage or rent payments amid continued economic uncertainty.

Around 1,000 people die every year after taking heroin, according to the charity DrugScope.

It says that because of the uncertain composition and purity of the drug, "adverse reactions are an ever-present possibility".

Meanwhile, there were also slight increases in the numbers of people receiving treatment for dependency on methadone and amphetamines, according to TCSP.

However, there was a large drop in the number seeking help for the use of cannabis, with 94 people treated in 2009/10 compared to 131 the year before – a fall of more than a quarter.