OREGON SEES SHARP RISE IN DRUG-RELATED FATALITIES

Cocaine And Heroin Overdoses Push The Death Rate To Possibly Triple The
Number From 10 Years Ago

Oregon is on pace to close out the decade with the highest number of
drug-related deaths, with 148 reported in the first six months of 1999,
state officials said.

"We continue to see a sharp increase in the number of drug-related deaths
during the second quarter of 1999," said Dr. Karen L. Gunson, Oregon's
interim state medical examiner. "At this rate, we anticipate a total of 300
drug-related deaths for the 1999 year."

With about six people dying each week from illegal drug use, the state could
end the year with more than three times the 80 drug-related deaths recorded
10 years ago.

The number of drug-related deaths recorded during the first six months of
the year was up 56 percent from 95 in 1998.

Heroin and cocaine continue to account for the largest number of fatalities,
nearly all resulting from overdoses.

Heroin's purity, low cost and widespread availability are

among the factors law enforcement, drug counselors and medical personnel
cite for the rise in deaths.

There were 119 heroin-related deaths through June, compared with 68 in 1998.
Most of the heroin-related deaths involved black-tar heroin. Because of its
bubble gumlike consistency, the black tar heroin is melted and injected by
needle.

"The purity levels have increased tremendously, and heroin addicts are
constantly putting that needle in their veins, and they don't know what kind
of dose they're getting," said Ken Magee, supervisory special agent in the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Portland office. "What one dealer
might be selling could look the same as another, but it could be much more
potent."

Law enforcement officials say suppliers are efficient. The heroin is
smuggled by car from Mexico, up the West Coast and along the Interstate 5
corridor.

"When we take out mid-to upper-level suppliers, we know they're being
replaced instantaneously," said Lt. Ed Herbert of the Portland Police
Bureau's drug and vice division. "There's a constant, reliable supply."

Cocaine-related deaths doubled to 42 so far this year, up

from 20 recorded during the first half of 1998. And, so far in 1999, 34
people -- twice as many as in 1998 -- died from combining drugs, generally a
mix of heroin and cocaine.

That combination, commonly referred to as a "speedball," extends the high,
Herbert said.

A drug-related death may be counted in more than one of the categories.

The record drug deaths have prompted a Multnomah County task force of drug
counselors, medical personnel and recovering drug users to study who is
using the drugs, whether a competitive market is driving the costs down and
increasing potency and whether drug use is connected to mental health
problems such as depression. A report is due in late October.

The state Office of Alcohol and Abuse Programs, which funnels money to
county drug treatment and prevention programs, was granted $91 million for
the 1999-2001 fiscal years -- about $10 million more than its current biennial

budget, said Gwen Grams, a manager in the office.

More money will go to rural counties, residential and outpatient treatment
programs, and to support drug prevention strategies for high-risk youth,
Grams said.

You can reach Maxine Bernstein at 503-221-8212 or by e-mail at
Maxinebernstein@news.oregonian.com.