Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jul 2000
Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Australian Associated Press

HEROIN CAUSES 78 OVERDOSES, 4 DEATHS

A BATCH of high-grade heroin has caused 78 overdoses and four deaths
in Sydney, mainly around Kings Cross, in the past three days.New South
Wales Special Minister of State John Della Bosca said it appeared a
highly concentrated batch of the narcotic hit the streets early last
Thursday.

All four deaths and 31 overdoses occurred within 24 hours, he
said.

On Friday and Saturday, ambulances were called to another 40 separate
heroin overdoses, with seven more following to mid-day yesterday.

Mr Della Bosca said three other deaths in Canberra last week might be
related.

"Ambulance officers have reported more than double the number of
overdoses they would normally see," he said.

"In NSW, close to 400 people die from heroin overdoses a year - around
one death a day."
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