HEROIN addicts across Hampshire could be playing Russian roulette with their lives, police warned today.

Drug users have been put on alert amid fears that a rogue batch of the highly addictive class A drug is circulating across the county.

Police believe the bad heroin is responsible for at least nine people falling seriously ill in the Winchester area alone.

Now detectives fear the same drug, thought to be either too pure or contaminated, could also be behind two deaths at Southampton hostels within the past week.

Det Sgt Robert Bowness, who is leading investigations into the hostel deaths, said: "We are keeping an open mind about a possible link, and various items have been submitted to the Forensic Science Service laboratory for analysis. Obviously heroin is a class A controlled drug and it is illegal to take or have in your possession, but we would warn heroin users that substances currently being passed off as heroin may not be all they seem." An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of 37-year-old John McMillan, who was discovered dead in his room at St Patrick's House rehabilitation centre in Millbrook Road West last week.

A post-mortem carried out at Southampton General Hospital confirmed he had died from an overdose of an opiate-based drug.

Police believe the death of a 31-year-old man at St Theresa's House prison resettlement centre in Edelvale Road, Midanbury, could also be drug-related. A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death was taking place at Southampton General Hospital yesterday.

Detectives are hoping toxicology test results will help determine the exact circumstances of both deaths.

Today Hampshire drug experts warned heroin users to be vigilant.

Jos Jones, clinical specialist at The New Road Centre Southampton Substance Users' Service, which supplies heroin substitute to between 100 and 120 users across the city, said: "There is no quality control or kite-mark when buying street heroin.

"There are never any guarantees so whenever it is available people have to be very wary of the strength of it. Regular users should be aware that what they are buying could be stronger than usual."

Mr Jones stressed the centre did not condone the use of heroin but said people were safer using it in company rather than alone.

He also advised heroin users to smoke rather than inject as a third of the opiate content would be lost in the atmosphere. Heroin which is either too pure or has been adulterated with other substances can cause overdose.

Overdose symptoms include rapid heartbeat, heart failure, shortness of breath, unconsciousness and coma.

Information on heroin use or dealers can be passed to Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111. Advice is available from The New Road Centre on 023 8071 7171.