HEROIN MAKING INROADS IN HUNTINGTON

HUNTINGTON -- Detroit drug dealers, who already control most of the
crack cocaine market in the Tri-State, are now shipping in a steady
stream of heroin, local authorities say.

"We haven't made any large seizures as of yet, but it's definitely
making a strong comeback," said Doug Adams, a Cabell County Sheriff's
deputy and member of the department's drug enforcement unit. "You can
now buy heroin at any time of the day on any day of the week in this county."

There were few signs of heroin in the area for nearly five years,
Cabell Chief Deputy Jim Scheidler said. But there's been an upswing
in seizures of the drug during the past nine months, and it's mostly
coming from the Motor City, he said.

Detroiters are even adding a personal touch with the packaging of
heroin, which is sold as a powder in one-third to one-half gram hits
for $10 to $20, Adams said. It's wrapped in Michigan lottery tickets.

Sgt. Mike Clark of Cabell County's drug enforcement unit said he's
baffled by the reappearance of heroin, especially with most of the
supply coming from Detroit crack dealers.

"Both drugs are extremely dangerous and addictive, but that's where
the similarities end," he said. "Crack takes you way up, but it's a
short-lived high. Heroin takes you way down, but lasts longer. The
logical guess is crack dealers see that there's money to be made and
want to control both ends of the spectrum."

Sgt. J.T. Combs, commander of the Huntington Police Department's drug
unit, also has seen an influx of heroin in recent months. While the
enforcement tactics used against heroin dealers are similar to crack
cocaine investigations, heroin is a far more powerful drug, he said.

"You can smoke crack for 20 years and stop instantly without getting
sick. It's a mentally addictive drug," he said. "Heroin junkies
become physically ill when they don't get a fix. It's very unpleasant."

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin is
processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted
from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. Heroin usually appears as
a white or tan powder, and has street names such as "smack," "H,"
"skag," and "junk."

When heated, the powder dissolves into a liquid and is injected for a
quick high. It also can be snorted or smoked.

Detroit has been a major source city for heroin in the United States,
according to NIDA. The Motor City led the nation in 2002 for
heroin/opiate-related deaths with 464, while Philadelphia was second
with 111, the Institute reported.