Pubdate: Thu, 28 Sep 2006
Source: Herald News (IL)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald News
Contact:  http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1308
Author: Brian Stanley, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS TOLD DANGERS OF HEROIN

Police, Coroner Discuss Effects Of Use With Students

WILMINGTON --Wilmington High School students walked  into Wednesday's 
assembly to find a gurney in the  center of the gym with a blue body bag on it.

City police officers, Will County Sheriff's police and  Coroner Pat 
O'Neil were there to make students aware of  the consequences of 
heroin use. The body bag was used  to illustrate scenerios law 
enforcement has gone  through with underage deaths because of heroin 
and  similar drugs.

"We're not here to threaten you, we're not here to  blame you," said 
Police Chief Wally Evans. "We're here  in the hopes that it reminds 
you to take one-minute to  think about what you're doing when you're 
out partying  with your friends."

"This is all about making choices," O'Neil told the  restless 
audience, "you can choose the blue bag or you  can choose to just say no."

While no students raised their hands when asked if  they've seen 
heroin, police believe it is present in  the area. The Wilmington 
area has seen several  heroin-related arrests in recent weeks and the 
drug is  suspected to be responsible for the death of a  15-year-old 
boy this summer.

Evans told the students times have changed from when he  was a 
student and alcohol and marijuana were the big  concerns for law 
enforcement in high schools.

"This is the stuff you do one time and it can kill  you," he said.

Students were reminded that besides straight heroin,  dealers are 
also selling the drug mixed with fentanyl,  which is 80 times more 
powerful than morphine.

"When someone cooks fentanyl (and overdoses), many  times we'll find 
them with the needle still in their  arms. That's how fast this stuff 
works," said O'Neil.

He also pointed out those who survive using fentanyl or 
fentanyl-laced heroin still shorten their lives  substantially from 
heart and liver problems.

"You're better off injecting your veins with asphalt,"  O'Neil said.

Evans didn't believe Wednesday's presentation would end  heroin use 
among students, but it needed to be done.

"If just one student reconsiders trying it, or decides  they need to 
get help, or get help for a friend, it  made a difference," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman