The drug has become more common in recent years

NHS Grampian said the rise took place in the space of a year in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Fears have been voiced that the trade could spark violence in the city.

But Grampian Police's drug squad said its officers were remaining vigilant.

The drug gives an intense high which can lead to users becoming addicted almost instantly.

Wealthy city

It can take thousands of pounds a day to feed a crack habit.

Aberdeen is being targeted by dealers from the West Midlands and London who see it as a wealthy city.

Crack dealing has been linked to violence and shootings south of the border.

One recovering addict said some users would "sell their granny" to get money for crack.

The people who are bringing these drugs into Aberdeen are very clever, very well organised Mark Hepburn Alexander Addiction Clinic

The 20-year-old said the problem had escalated in recent years, warning: "It will be like an epidemic soon.

"Crime rates will go up and I can see violence rising as well."

That fear is shared by Mark Hepburn of the Alexander Clinic in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, which treats people addicted to alcohol, drugs and gambling.

He said: "I think that in Aberdeen we are not that far away from seeing deaths that are attributable in some way to shootings or some significant level of violence associated with the drug-dealing element.

"The people who are bringing these drugs into Aberdeen are very clever, very well organised. They know what they're doing."

Detective Inspector Willie Findlay of Grampian Police's drugs squad said the use of crack had grown steadily in the city over the last five years.

Dealing tactics

"We are seeing it very much amongst the heroin community," he said.

"My message to other forces is don't let the grass grow under the crack pushers' feet.

"You have got to be very active in disrupting their crack dealing tactics and basically push them out of town."

The first NHS facility for crack users is due to open later this year in Aberdeen, where addicts can currently wait several months for treatment due to a lack of resources.