STUDENTS TOLD DANGERS OF HEROIN

Police, Coroner Discuss Effects Of Use With Students

WILMINGTON --Wilmington High School students walked into Wednesday's
assembly to find a gurney in the center of the gym with a blue body bag on it.

City police officers, Will County Sheriff's police and Coroner Pat
O'Neil were there to make students aware of the consequences of
heroin use. The body bag was used to illustrate scenerios law
enforcement has gone through with underage deaths because of heroin
and similar drugs.

"We're not here to threaten you, we're not here to blame you," said
Police Chief Wally Evans. "We're here in the hopes that it reminds
you to take one-minute to think about what you're doing when you're
out partying with your friends."

"This is all about making choices," O'Neil told the restless
audience, "you can choose the blue bag or you can choose to just say no."

While no students raised their hands when asked if they've seen
heroin, police believe it is present in the area. The Wilmington
area has seen several heroin-related arrests in recent weeks and the
drug is suspected to be responsible for the death of a 15-year-old
boy this summer.

Evans told the students times have changed from when he was a
student and alcohol and marijuana were the big concerns for law
enforcement in high schools.

"This is the stuff you do one time and it can kill you," he said.

Students were reminded that besides straight heroin, dealers are
also selling the drug mixed with fentanyl, which is 80 times more
powerful than morphine.

"When someone cooks fentanyl (and overdoses), many times we'll find
them with the needle still in their arms. That's how fast this stuff
works," said O'Neil.

He also pointed out those who survive using fentanyl or
fentanyl-laced heroin still shorten their lives substantially from
heart and liver problems.

"You're better off injecting your veins with asphalt," O'Neil said.

Evans didn't believe Wednesday's presentation would end heroin use
among students, but it needed to be done.

"If just one student reconsiders trying it, or decides they need to
get help, or get help for a friend, it made a difference," he said.