MORE EDUCATION NEEDED FOR MORPHINE USERS, CHILDREN: NORTHAN

Algoma's medical officer of health says a committee has been formed
to increase knowledge about morphine and other drug uses. Dr. Allan
Northan said a representative from the Algoma Health Unit, along with
members of several drug rehabilitation/addiction centres and the city
police, met Thursday to look at ways to address the morphine issue
and provide further education to children and drug users.

Northan admits that the meeting was spurred by an extensive series
that ran Thursday in The Sault Star.

``Certainly in Ontario and in Sault Ste. Marie there is speculation
around the deaths. There is an awareness there but addictions of this
type are hard to cope with,'' Northan said.

The committee is attempting to put together more educational
information for the media to help area residents understand and cope
with the issue.

``But there is always ongoing education around the community about
drugs and drug education,'' he said. ``It was thought that because of
the increased interest, more information can be put together.''

In the past year-and-a-half, morphine has been linked to 16 sudden
fatalities in the area; two believed to be drug related were as
recent as during a one-week period late last month.

In the other 11 deaths, the coroner is examining certain similar
factors that are ``highly concerning.''

The coroner's office continues to investigation the deaths but
morphine has conclusively been cited as a contributing factor in four
between April and July 2000 and the primary cause of death in another.

Northwestern Ontario coroner Dr. David Legge refused to comment on
the galvanization of public response to the issue to date.

``We can say that they are responding now and that's important,'' Legge said.

He was not at Thursday's meeting.

Last July, the coroner's office issued a public health alert warning
heroin and intravenous morphine users that drugs on the street ``may
be more dangerous than the users believe.''

Education programs are always in effect, Northan said.

Some focus on trying to prevent people from getting involved in drugs
while others are geared toward preventing users to dabble into
stronger drugs. Other programs focus on helping individuals deal with
their substance abuse, Northan said.

``All parties are actively following (the investigation) and there is
a commitment to deal with programming,'' he said.