Pubdate: Wed, 10 May 2000
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2000 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm
Author: Donna Leinwand

SENATORS URGE HELP FOR ADDICTS

Alarmed by the rising number of teenage heroin addicts, two U.S.
senators called on Tuesday for more treatment programs for youths and
an anti-drug campaign aimed specifically at heroin.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Caucus on
International Narcotics Control, said he will introduce legislation to
provide more money for local anti-drug coalitions. He also called for
more education for health professionals, research for new treatments
and a competitive grant program for youth residential treatment programs.

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., co-chairman of the caucus, said legislation
must address long-term treatment for teens. He also made a pitch for
the Clinton administration's request for$1 billion to help drug
interdiction efforts in Colombia.

The senators made their proposals after a hearing in which four former
teenage addicts testified.

''I could get it almost any night or day I wanted it,'' said Phillip
Proses, 19, of Selden, N.Y. Proses, introduced to heroin at 14,
testified to overdosing seven times in three years.
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