HEROIN OVERDOSE CITED IN 2 MORE S.J. DEATHS

CAMDEN -- Two more people have died of apparent heroin overdoses in
Camden County, authorities said Friday.

Officials also said drug overdoses may have caused three
single-vehicle accidents in Camden on Friday.

With the latest deaths in Barrington and Gloucester Township, about
30 people in the county have died from apparent heroin overdoses so
far this year, said the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

About 40 such deaths occurred in all of 2005.

Scores of drug users have been hospitalized for overdoses this year.
Officials believe heroin, usually sold on Camden's streets, may be
tainted with fentanyl, a powerful painkiller.

The latest victims were found dead in their homes -- the Barrington
man around noon Friday, a 43-year-old Gloucester Township man on
Thursday night.

Bags of suspected heroin were found in each home.

Police suspect overdoses caused three motor-vehicle accidents in
Camden about 5:30 p.m. Friday. The accidents occurred in North
Camden, at 9th and Pearl streets and 6th and Elm streets; and
downtown at Broadway and Mickle Boulevard.

The three drivers and at least one passenger were treated at area
hospitals, police said. No other injuries were reported.

Also, a 43-year-old Somerdale man was found dead in his home Friday
after an apparent adverse reaction to crack cocaine.