Drugs like heroin are now rife in south Wales

In the last few weeks, police in south Wales have seized drugs worth more than �150,000 in Rhondda Cynon Taff alone.

But campaigners have said more resources are needed to tackle the root of the problem.

Twelve months ago, Inspector Paul Cannon - who speaks for the anti-drug pressure group RAID - said heroin was as commonly available as frequently used as cannabis.

The problem is also rife in other parts of south Wales, particularly Merthyr and the Rhymney Valley.

'Beautiful person'

Heroin addict Adrian Abbott, a father of two young girls from Gelligaer, died 10 months ago, after a long fight against heroin.

His drug problem stemmed from being abused as a child.

"He was just 31 years of age," Mrs Abbott said.

He was a beautiful person. It was sad to think that heroin did that to him."

Deprived areas of Wales attract dealers

Mr Abbott had been receiving treatment in Bristol for his addiction, and had been clean of drugs for several months before returning home.

"Within six months of being back in the valleys he turned to drugs again," his wife explained. In January, six men were jailed for almost 20 years at Merthyr Crown Court after the jury heard a Rhondda house had been turned into a "shop" selling drugs.

Customers arrived at the house at a rate of one every 10 minutes and a police raid on the house led to thousands of pounds of cannabis being discovered in a child's bedroom alongside toys.

One man had even traded in his computer for �50-worth of drugs, the court was told.

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee delivered its stark report on social exclusion in Wales in January, examining in depth the problems of drink, drugs and mental health.

The report concluded that the best solutions to deep-rooted problems come from within the communities affected.