Pubdate: Sun, 14 Sep 2008
Source: News-Messenger, The (OH)
Copyright: 2008 The News-Messenger
Contact:  http://www.thenews-messenger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3408
Author: Mark Caudill
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

'OPRAH' TACKLES MANSFIELD HEROIN PROBLEM

MANSFIELD -- Richland County's heroin problem will be  the focus of
upcoming segments on "Nightline" and "The  Oprah Winfrey Show."

Nightline" producer Katie Hinman got the idea after  reading a state
wire story in which a Drug Enforcement  Agency agent compared Ohio's
heroin problem to Miami's  cocaine quandary in the 1980s.

"I'm an Ohio native," Hinman said. "It's one of the  reasons I was so
surprised at how aggressive the heroin  problem has become."

METRICH Enforcement Unit officials referred Hinman to  Richland
County, which has a reputation for heroin in  Shelby and Plymouth.
Producers and reporters also  visited Willard in Huron County. The
story has been in  the works since spring.

Reporter Lisa Ling has been to Richland County three
times.

"Lisa was so moved by the story that she took it to  Oprah," Hinman
said.

Hinman said "Nightline" and "Oprah" will air different  segments on a
yet-to-be-scheduled day later this month.  The "Nightline" story will
be all tape and will run 10  to 12 minutes.

"We like our stories to have a strong personal  narrative," Hinman
said.

Interviews with recovering addicts will be the focus of  the "Oprah"
segment.

Hinman said neither show will portray Richland County  as a drug
haven.

In addition to going to outlying areas, producers  filmed segments at
the county jail.

"I'm anxiously waiting because I'm not sure what parts  they're going
to put on," Sheriff Steve Sheldon said.  "It makes you a little
nervous. You hope it's a good  story and presents us in a positive
light.

"There's a (heroin) problem in our community, but it's  not something
we've cornered the market on. It's  nationwide."

Sheldon said many of Ohio's prison inmates have drug
problems.

"I don't necessarily think jail is the answer," the  sheriff said.
"People selling it, that's where they  belong. But the people that are
bitten by the bug, so  to speak, need help."

METRICH Commander Lt. Dino Sgambellone said heroin use  is pretty even
throughout the county, though the  northern portion has a worse reputation.

Sgambellone said a troubling trend is the emergence of  tar heroin in
Mansfield.

"Tar heroin is preferred because it's stronger," he  said. "We hadn't
(previously) seen it in any great  quantity in the city."

Hinman said she will notify the News Journal when she  knows the day
the segments will air.

"I hope that both shows will be a wake-up call," she  said. "Our
intention is not to scandalize anyone, just  to inform."

Sheldon met with Ling and a producer for a few minutes.

"It's really neat," he said of the focus. "Maybe one of  these
politicians will do something about it. Maybe  there's some help
around the corner."
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath