Pubdate: 05 Feb 2001
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Section: Pg C3
Website: http://www.washtimes.com/
Contact:  2001 News World Communications, Inc.
Fax: 202-832-8285

MARYLAND: HEROIN DEATHS REMAIN NEAR RECORD LEVELS

Maryland officials report that heroin-related deaths stayed near record 
highs for the year 2000, despite a two-year-old program to fight the 
drug.  The state Medical Examiners office recorded 304 overdose deaths in 
Baltimore alone, bringing last year's overdose fatality total for the state 
to 474.  According to police, Maryland's efforts to fight heroin abuse have 
failed because use of the drug has shifted from the inner city to the 
suburbs, and also because the heroin that is now available is much more 
potent than what was around 10 years ago.  Dr. Shiv Soni, supervisor of the 
drug analysis unit of the Baltimore Police Department, says that in the 
past two years, even the lowest grades of heroin have increased from about 
4 percent to 14 percent purity, while high-quality heroin is now about 75 
percent pure.  Baltimore health commissioner Peter L. Bielenson notes that 
the increased strength of the drug could raise mortality in a number of 
ways, particularly as new users are drawn to stronger grades of heroin 
because they can snort or smoke it, instead of using a needle.