Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jun 2006
Source: Star-News (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: Ken Little
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

OFFICIALS HOPE TO STOP HEROIN DEATHS

Prosecutors meet today with local law enforcement officials, 
emergency responders and health care professionals to discuss ways to 
stem the recent tide of heroin-related overdoses.

Heroin laced with the powerful synthetic narcotic fentanyl is thought 
to be responsible for at least four deaths in New Hanover and Pender 
counties. Better communication between police and others coming in 
contact with users could make the difference in tracking down local 
suppliers, said Tim Severo, a New Hanover County assistant district 
attorney who prosecutes drug cases. Severo and District Attorney Ben 
David helped organize the meeting of the informal task force.

"We are looking at an overall strategy to attack heroin distribution 
from the street level right on up," he said. "We don't want to leave 
any stone unturned. We are at critical mass."

Toxicology test results are pending on the recent suspected overdose 
victims. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and State Bureau 
of Investigation are assisting authorities in identifying the deadly 
mix that is killing veteran addicts and novice users. Representatives 
of both agencies will be at the meeting.

"We are working with the state and local agencies to get to the 
bottom of what is going on. We are trying to ascertain the chemical 
composition of it, what is in the heroin, what it is cut with and if 
there is any fentanyl in it at all," Wilmington-based DEA Special 
Agent Eric Savitts said.

Heroin cut with fentanyl that may have been made in an illicit 
Mexican lab is responsible for at least 70 deaths in the Chicago area 
and many others in the eastern half of the country in recent months. 
Wilmington police Chief Ralph Evangelous said a task force can help 
attack the problem locally. Capt. Bruce Hickman, in charge of the 
department's Vice and Narcotics Unit, will attend the meeting.

"It can't hurt," Evangelous said. "The problem is that this tainted 
heroin is probably coming from Mexico, and it's going to take a 
concerted effort within our DEA Task Force to hit the supplier. We've 
got to close the spigot."

Two Wilmington Police Department investigators are on the task force.

"If you want to have a real impact on this stuff, you've got to look 
at the supply line," Evangelous said. "You knock off one (street 
dealer) and two take their place. It's like trying to kill 
cockroaches. You can't kill them all."

Patient confidentiality restrictions and an informal system of 
communication between medical personnel and police make it difficult 
to learn about some overdose cases, Evangelous said.

At least two men have died this month of suspected heroin overdoses 
in Wilmington. Many other users have overdosed and were revived by 
New Hanover Regional Emergency Medical Services technicians using the 
drug Narcan. EMS will be represented at today's meeting.

"If it was all stopped today, it would still take some time for the 
product to be used up and go away," EMS Battalion Chief Chris Gilmore 
said. "We have a good relationship with all the law enforcement 
agencies in New Hanover County. We're all taking in the same information."

Task force members "will analyze investigation practices and 
hopefully come up with some strategies," Severo said.

Severo took the opportunity to fire an opening salvo at heroin dealers.

"If you sell it and they die," he said, "we will prosecute you for 
second-degree murder."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman