DANGEROUS, DEADLY HEROIN USE RISING; KNOW WARNING SIGNS

It's not likely that many heroin users read editorial pages, but
there's a chance that their parents, aunts and uncles, teachers and
responsible friends do.

Heroin use is on the rise, and chances are someone you know or know of
is doing it. That means someone you know or know of is risking his or
her life on a regular basis because the strength and purity of heroin
is unpredictable. On top of that, there is some tainted heroin going
around that is making users sick and killing others here and elsewhere.

The numbers are startling. Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia said
14 people have died of suspected drug overdoses in this county since
the first of the year, and some of those likely were heroin overdoses.

In February, about a dozen people died in one Chicago neighborhood
from heroin that had been "cut" or mixed with a deadly ingredient.

At least one overdose here in February was linked to the same cutting
ingredient.

Last week, another laced batch was linked to 19 illnesses and one
death in another Chicago neighborhood.

Heroin is dangerous and unpredictable because users have no way to
determine purity or strength. Once addicted, they are willing to risk
death each time they use.

Officials at Rosecrance Health Network report a rise in heroin use
among adults and adolescents alike. Almost a quarter of the
adolescents who get treatment through Rosecrance have used heroin in
combination with other drugs, up from 17 percent last year. Among
adult clients at Rosecrance, about 30 percent use heroin.

A spokesperson at SwedishAmerican Hospital said the emergency room
deals with at least three heroin overdoes each week, although not all
of them are fatal.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a
list of warning signs of heroin use, which include euphoria,
drowsiness, impaired mental functioning, slowed respiration,
constricted pupils and nausea.

Warning signs of heroin overdose include shallow breathing, pinpoint
pupils, clammy skin, convulsions and coma.

If you notice any of these symptoms in a friend or loved one whom you
suspect of using drugs, don't second-guess yourself. Get help for them
- -- fast.

Where to Call

Help is available for heroin or any other addiction. Local options include:

# Rosecrance Health Network: 815-391-1000

# PHASE: 815-547-4502 or 815-962-0871

# Alcoholics Anonymous: 815-968-0333 or www.alcoholicsanonymous.org

# Reformers Unanimous: 815-968-0460 or e-mail runanimous@aol.com

# Narcotics Anonymous: 815-964-5959

# CONTACT Crisis line: 815-636-5000

# CONTACT referral: 815-636-5005