SENATORS URGE HELP FOR ADDICTS

Alarmed by the rising number of teenage heroin addicts, two U.S.
senators called on Tuesday for more treatment programs for youths and
an anti-drug campaign aimed specifically at heroin.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Caucus on
International Narcotics Control, said he will introduce legislation to
provide more money for local anti-drug coalitions. He also called for
more education for health professionals, research for new treatments
and a competitive grant program for youth residential treatment programs.

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., co-chairman of the caucus, said legislation
must address long-term treatment for teens. He also made a pitch for
the Clinton administration's request for$1 billion to help drug
interdiction efforts in Colombia.

The senators made their proposals after a hearing in which four former
teenage addicts testified.

''I could get it almost any night or day I wanted it,'' said Phillip
Proses, 19, of Selden, N.Y. Proses, introduced to heroin at 14,
testified to overdosing seven times in three years.