LONG BEACH PLAGUED BY OVERDOSES, STUDY SHOWS

LONG BEACH (AP) - Long Beach has a higher per capita rate of fatal drug
overdoses than any other area of Harrison County, according to a Sun Herald
analysis of death statistics.

That comes as no surprise to city officials, who say they share the
community's growing frustrations over a recent overdose incident that sent
three teenagers to a hospital. The teens survived.

However, given different circumstances, they could have become part of
statistics compiled by the Harrison County coroner, whose numbers show that
drug overdoses from January through August claimed 29 lives, including six
people from Long Beach.

Comparing the deaths to the Census 2000 population numbers, Long Beach has
a fatal overdose rate of 35 per 100,000 people.

It's the highest deadly overdose rate in the county.

Some citizens are quick to blame law enforcement, said Coroner Gary
Hargrove, who investigates the cause of every unnatural death.

"What more do people want us to do? It's not like we've kept these problems
a secret," he said.

"We've been putting the word out about the dangers. But kids aren't paying
attention and their parents aren't looking for warning signs. I know it
sounds cold-hearted, but until people start taking responsibility, more
kids are going to end up in a coma, in a hospital, or in a morgue,"
Hargrove said.

But it's a problem among all ages, Hargrove said.

Mayor Robert Bass points out that Long Beach has led the way in Harrison
County to address related issues with its Drug Task Force, educational
programs and the support of school officials and police.

"We've got to quit pointing fingers and work together as a community," Bass
said.

The police department doesn't have a full-time narcotics investigator,
although aldermen have approved money for an officer who also would be
assigned to the Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team, Bass said.

Police Chief Harley Schinker said none of the police officers on the force
who meet CNET's criteria want the job. The criteria requires at least three
years of experience, he said.

"The past two police chiefs couldn't fill the position or keep it staffed
either," said Schinker, who became police chief in July 2002.

Schinker said he asked for volunteers as recently as two months ago.

"With turnover and losing officers to military call-ups, it's a bigger
priority making sure we have enough offers to respond to calls for
service," Schinker said.