DRUG SUSPECTS WARNED

PORTSMOUTH -- Flanked by area police chiefs, Rockingham County
Attorney Jim Reams vowed Friday to make those responsible for
supplying drugs to two Seacoast teens who died from overdoses pay for
their crime with significant jail sentences.

"We're not going to forget these kids that died," said Reams, adding
the flow of drugs to the county is constant. "And we're going to do
everything we can to prosecute these people."

On March 14, 18-year-old Kingston resident Caitlyn Brady died of a
heroin overdose. Exactly one month later, 18-year-old Stratham
resident Ryan Scamman-Rawson died from an Oxycodone overdose. Police
have since tracked the suspected suppliers of those drugs, and this
month, a grand jury indicted four Seacoast residents on drug charges
that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"I can assure you they will be long sentences; they will be strong
sentences," he said. "Because the point of this is to send messages
to people who want to deal drugs here in Rockingham County."

There were 152 drug-related deaths in the state in 2005. Reams said
approximately 45 percent of the cases his office handles are drug
related in some way. Felony drug charges make up 27 percent of the
cases, up from 20 percent in 2000.

"It's a huge and growing problem in Rockingham County," said Reams,
who said the county's proximity to heavy drug-trafficking areas like
Lowell and Lawrence, Mass., as well as New York City, and easily
accessible interstate highways add to the problem.

Reams announced 64-year-old East Kingston resident [Name redacted]
was indicted on drug charges in connection with Scamman-Rawson's
death. [Name redacted], 21, of Newton and Kingston residents [Name
redacted], 22, and [Name redacted], 23, were indicted in connection
with Brady's death. All face maximum sentences of life in prison.

Reams said both investigations are ongoing and involve many law
enforcement agencies, including Massachusetts and federal
authorities. He said detectives are trying to trace the drugs to the
original suppliers.

"If we could, we'd track it back to the person that grew it or
manufactured it," he said. "We'll take it as far as we can take it,
and we will attempt to hold accountable anyone involved in that chain."

Drug deaths are often difficult to prosecute because there are
typically no witnesses and the exact drug that causes a death is
rarely identified by the medical examiner, according to Reams. In
these two cases, police got lucky he said.

The police chiefs reported more potent, more serious drugs like
heroin and Oxycodone than in the past in the Seacoast. The drugs are
often sold at a low price -- as low as $5 for a bag of heroin -- or
at no cost at all.

Reams said one of the two primary messages he is trying to get across
is that drug dealers will be pursued, will be caught and will serve
heavy sentences.

"The other message is young people who want to experiment with drugs
have to learn this poison can and will kill you," he said.
"Unfortunately, we have two graphic results who were kids, who are
dead, in Rockingham County alone.

"This cannot continue. The kids have to learn this stuff is dangerous."