Pubdate: Mon, 22 Jan 2007
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2007 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Tiara M. Ellis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

COLLIN HEROIN DEATHS HAVE NOT STOPPED

Heroin use by young people in Collin County appears less prevalent 
than it was a year ago, experts say, but the deaths have not stopped.

Two people, both 21, died from heroin overdoses in Collin County in 
the second half of 2006, according to county officials and police. A 
third case believed to be heroin-related has not been confirmed. 
Collin County Medical Examiner William Rohr said he is waiting for 
toxicology results to determine what killed that Plano 19-year-old.

During a 14-month period ending in May 2006 - when The Dallas Morning 
News published a series of articles looking at the resurgence of the 
drug - three Plano teens and one in Frisco died from heroin 
overdoses. A fifth person died from methadone, a drug used to treat 
heroin addiction.

Before that, there had not been a school-age heroin overdose reported 
by the Collin County medical examiner in five years.

To spread the word, substance-abuse counselors, police and school 
officials hosted informational seminars for parents, teachers and 
anyone working with youngsters.

"It's died down. The more we publicize it, the more awareness is out 
there," said Plano police spokesman Rick McDonald.

Last year's reappearance of heroin rekindled old concerns. Just over 
10 years ago, Plano began seeing a string of young people dying from 
heroin use.

At least 20 young people died, and the cases received national media 
attention. Eventually 72 people involved in distributing the drug 
went to federal prison, and 350 were convicted of state drug charges.

Gayle Jensen-Savoie, co-founder of the Collin County Substance Abuse 
Coalition, agreed that this year hasn't been as worrisome as the last.

"We are not seeing a lot of heroin currently. There might be one or 
two cases, but it's not a trend," Ms. Savoie said.

"It all goes in a cyclical fashion. Six months ago we were seeing 
some heroin cases. Now we are seeing a ton of prescription 
medication" abuse, she said.

The challenge remains tracking nonfatal overdoses, Ms. Savoie said.

Even though the recent increase in heroin deaths never reached the 
proportions of the 1990s, it was a reminder of that dark period.

Plano police believe that the existence of an overdose investigator 
has made a difference. That investigator tracks every overdose, 
whether or not it results in death, allowing police to keep up with 
trends and adjust enforcement accordingly.

"We used to hear about heroin cases every day," Officer McDonald said.

"Now there's a lot of enforcement. It just seems like it's getting 
harder for people to get a hold of it."
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