Pubdate: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 Source: Star-News (NC) Copyright: 2008 Wilmington Morning Star Contact: http://www.wilmingtonstar.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500 Author: Veronica Gonzalez Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?132 (Heroin Overdose) HEROIN DEATHS TOPIC AT MEETING TODAY A scourge of fatal heroin overdoses is prompting public discussion. A substance abuse task force will meet today to talk about gaps in services for addicts and to discuss recent heroin overdoses that killed five men. The New Hanover County Substance Abuse Task Force has been studying the issue of services in the community for about a year. Starting at 11:30 a.m. today, officials will learn about a gap in services to single women, especially those with children, as well as homeless people with mental health disorders, said John Ranalli, the group's interim facilitator. "We don't have longer-term residential options for those populations that keep people closer connected to their homes," he said. Additionally, the group will discuss the deaths of five men from heroin overdoses since December as law enforcement focuses its efforts on finding the source of the fatal heroin, some of which is labeled "Hell Razor." That type of heroin is believed to be behind two or three fatal overdoses. The Wilmington Police Department also wants to know about other overdoses that might not have been fatal, but still might help police track the source of potentially lethal heroin. Kenny House, vice president of clinical services for Coastal Horizons Center, said an analysis of the heroin used in the fatal overdoses is crucial to finding out what's driving the deaths. He said several factors could be causing the overdoses: either the heroin is too pure, "in which case inexperienced users would be subject to overdose because they are expecting something at another strength," or the heroin is mixed with a lethal substance. He worries though, that if users find out what type of heroin is causing the overdoses, they might be tempted to try it instead of avoid it. "When you hear there's quote, unquote 'good stuff,' it might produce a reaction of people who want to experience the really strong stuff," said House, a member of the task force. Keith Thompson, whose daughter Blaire died Dec. 23, 2004, from a heroin overdose, said long-term care facilities are needed in the community. Thompson, who is the state director of DAMMAD (Dads and Mad Moms Against Drug Dealers) and national vice president of Americans for Drug-Free Youth, is active in drug education. "If somebody has a drug problem, they need to be somewhere for a minimum of a year," he said. "You've got to do something about providing accessible and affordable care for these people." It's an issue the task force will talk about today. "People are dying, and it's apparently heroin-related," House said. "Beyond that, there are questions that need to be answered." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom