OREGON DRUG DEATHS MORE THAN DOUBLE IN FIRST QUARTER OF '99

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Drug deaths in Oregon during the first three months of
this year more than doubled from the same period a year ago, an increase
blamed largely on potent, inexpensive and widely-available heroin.

The State Medical Examiner's Office said Monday that 80 people died
drug-related deaths in the first quarter, compared to 39 during the same
period last year.

"It's bigger than people think," said Dennis Donin, director of development
for CODA Inc., a treatment, recovery and prevention program with clinics in
Portland and Eugene. "We're seeing more people moving away from crack
cocaine and methamphetamine to drugs like opiates."

Heroin again was the leading killer, playing a role in 70 of the deaths.
Cocaine figured in 20 of the deaths. Last year in the state, there were 235
drug-related deaths, 179 of them involving heroin.

"This year's statistics appears to be a significant upward trend," said Dr.
Karen Gunson, Interim State Medical Examiner. "If our statistics hold true,
over 300 people will die related to drug use this year in Oregon. This would
be the largest increase this decade."

Donin, who said the CODA clinics treat 850 former heroin users a day, blames
the rising deaths on a variety of factors, including a potent form of tar
heroin in circulation. Because Portland is a port of entry, the drug also
tends to be cheaper and more readily available in the area, he said. And
heroin appears to be gaining popularity, both among young users and those
who graduate from cocaine and methamphetamine.

"I don't know if it's from the glorification in movies or what, but the old
fear of heroin just doesn't seem to be in place anymore," he said.

Most of the heroin comes from South America by way of Mexico. A gram sells
for about $50. Addicts go through agonizing withdrawal symptoms when they
quit, including cold sweats, nausea, muscle spasms, and bone and joint
aches.

Gunson said most of the victims tended to be white males in their 20s and
30s.

"It's an unusual day when we don't have a heroin death," she said. "It's
just like you come in, have your coffee and do your drug overdose."