A Government health body has revealed more than 1,300 people in Harrow are addicted to Class A drugs.

Public Health England recently published a report estimating that the number of people suffering with abuse of crack cocaine and opiates had risen in the capital by over 6,000 in four years.

It found 1,301 people in Harrow aged between 15 and 64-years-old were battling addiction to the crystal form of cocaine and other opiate-based substances available at “pocket money prices”.

The report, analysed by addiction treatment experts at UKAT, revealed that over 56,000 people were affected across London.

The figures do not include anyone using cocaine in powder form, amphetamines, ecstasy or cannabis.

The data was collected between March 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.

It is estimated the number of people aged between 15-24 using opiates and/or crack cocaine in London currently stands at almost 9,000.

UKAT’s chief executive officer and former addict Eytan Alexander said: “Public Health England’s data clearly shows that an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are addicted to these incredibly potent substances.

“They’re seeking the feeling of euphoria at pocket money prices and crack rocks can be purchased for as little as five pounds with dealers available any time of day at the click of a button.

“Teenagers misusing crack and opiates at such an early age will not only suffer with the physical effects of the drugs, but the drugs could impact their education, overall achievement in life and expose them to a criminal environment at a young age, without full understanding of the risks and consequences of their actions.

“The impact of a person misusing these drugs in later life has a knock-on effect on their family, children, spouses as well as their own personal health, which will deteriorate at a much faster pace if drug use continues, and for some, will prove fatal.”