CALLS were made today for a public meeting to tackle the "heroin epidemic" gripping Worcester.

City councillor June Tyler and St Paul's Hostel co-ordinator Terri Preece have added their support to growing concerns among families about the availability of the drug.

"I believe there's a heroin epidemic in our community," said Coun Tyler, who represents the Warndon ward.

"Many of our young men are dying - it's a sheer waste of young lives."

Fears were raised after the death of rugby player Phillip Smith, who collapsed in the bathroom at his family's Warndon home after apparently experimenting with drugs.

After the tragedy, his sister blamed "the drug culture in Worcester" and claimed dealers were "handing out drugs like sweets".

Others have urged people to turn in the drug dealers plaguing the city's streets.

"Our community must unite against the dealers and the heroin plague which can and will kill individuals, destroy families and communities if we let it," said Coun Tyler.

"We have to make youngsters realise that there are better things to do with their lives than stick needles in their arms. The problem is that many youngsters don't see drugs as a problem."

She added that over the past 10 years as a councillor she had many concerned parents approach her about their drug fears.

Terri Preece said she wondered if concern had reached such a pitch that a public meeting was needed in Worcester.

"I don't just mean with professionals, I mean with ordinary people such as the families who are going through this," she said.

"Do we go as far as to say some sort of re-hab or de-tox unit is needed in Worcester because it's frightening how available heroin is, and how many people from all sorts of backgrounds are using it.

"And for those who do want to get off it, there's no help available until several months down the line because there's so many trying to get help and the service can't cope.

"To use St Paul's as an example, two years ago one per cent of the clients I saw here were heroin users - that stands at 25 per cent today. What's the figure like across the city?"

She said she was in the process of writing to Worcester MP Mike Foster to highlight the community's fears.