Pubdate: Sun, 18 Sep 2005
Source: Vindicator, The (Youngstown, OH)
Copyright: 2005 The Vindicator, Vindicator Salem Bureau
Contact:  http://www.vindy.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3298
Author: D. A. Wilkerson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

OFFICIALS SEE SHARP UPTURN IN DRUG USE

The Drugs Have a Higher Value Than Their Weight In
Gold.

LISBON -- Columbiana County law enforcement leaders are sounding an
alarm about what they say is a sharp rise in drug use, especially
heroin, and drug overdose deaths in the county.

Prosecutor Robert Herron says the drug use and drinking problem is
evenly spreading throughout the county. "It's anywhere you go," he
said.

The problem, the prosecutor said, includes all social and economic
levels. He's been speaking throughout the county about the problem,
and while groups seem concerned afterward, Herron wants people to mobilize.

"It's not just a law enforcement problem," Herron said.

Statistics

Officials paint a sobering picture as the long out-of-vogue drug
heroin makes a comeback.

In 2001-03, there were 18 overdose deaths in the county tied to
illegal drugs. The county has had the same number of overdose deaths
in 2004-05.

Four of those deaths in 2004-05 were caused in part by heroin, said
Fran Rudibaugh, the investigator for the county coroner's office.

 From 2002 to 2004, the Columbiana County Drug Task Force seized 220
doses of heroin. So far in 2005, the task force has seized 1,452 doses.

The task force seized 1,233 grams of crack cocaine from 1992 to 2004,
but has seized almost as much -- 1,018 grams of crack -- so far in 2005.
For comparison, the task force this year has seized only 90 doses of
prescription drugs.

Brian McLaughlin, task force director, says the nine-member unit is
swamped.

The task force has received 147 drug abuse tips so far this year.
McLaughlin said that people with information should call (330) 424-0309.

Competing Factions

Two factions, one from Michigan and one from New Jersey, are currently
competing to corner the county as a drug market, Herron said. That's
because the drugs are worth more than their weight in gold.

Gold was recently selling in financial markets for $435 an ounce. Each
of the 28 grams in an ounce of cocaine would sell for $150 to $250.

The problem mostly involves adults age 18 to 30, officials
said.

The drug problem hasn't shown up in schools so far, Herron said. And
the average citizen isn't likely to see the effects of the drug use
since much of it occurs in the middle of the night.

Herron said, "I was shocked to the activity going on in the
darkness."

The prosecutor also was walking along a road in daylight looking for
evidence in a homicide when a man stopped to tell him about a surge of
crack cocaine use in a nearby community.

He hopes the public will become proactive in the fight against
drugs.

"City fathers have to get involved," Herron said. "They need to make
it a priority."

Of the county's last six or seven homicides, all but one had some
connection to drugs, Herron said.

Other Concerns

But drug abuse plays a role in other problems and crimes, ranging from
health and family issues to shoplifting, fraud, thefts and assaults.

Herron hopes community leaders won't wait until the damage is
done.

Methamphetamine has not become popular in the county as in other areas
so far, although labs that make the drug have been found in nearby
counties.

Eloise Traina, the head of the Family Recovery Center that provides
drug and alcohol counseling, said the center was starting to see a
surge in drug cases, including heroin and methamphetamine. Traina said
most of those cases come from the court system.

Traina added that her agency also is seeing an increase in referrals
for heroin and cocaine abuse from employers who randomly test
employees for drug use. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake