Beating heroin
Need for community wide response continues to grow

Anyone who doubts that an explosion in heroin abuse can be successfully
confronted should ponder the case of Orlando, Fla. Last year at this time,
greater Orlando had experienced 26 heroin overdose deaths. But the number
is down to eight after a year of targeted efforts and massive publicity.

Communities in North Texas that are just now waking up to the heroin
phenomenon should take note that it does take a village to save a child.
With 10 heroin overdose deaths reported this year in the metroplex, an
energetic response is urgently needed. National drug experts are now
projecting a heroin epidemic in part because of the drug's heightened
glamour, potency, availability and use.

Plano, where seven deaths have been reported, is beginning a commendable
response. The Plano Police Department has already doubled the size of its
heroin investigations unit. But any meaningful approach must be
multidimensional, and here are a few suggestions:

* Parental involvement.

Parents must learn to look for heroin signs, such as the use of
paraphernalia like razor blades, Dormin antihistamine capsules, syringes
and brown tar mixtures that smell like vinegar. Drug test kits to test
urine and hair follicles are now available at many local pharmacies. But
most of all, parents must monitor their children's activities and
participate in their lives.

* Teachers and the schools

. Teachers often spend more time with students than their parents do. They
must search for signs of heroin abuse as well as drug availability on
campus. Drug curriculum must be updated to explain the heroin risk.

* Churches.

Father George Clements' Washingtonbased program, "One Church, One Addict,"
shows how responsible parishes and congregations can help addicts and their
families. Heroin addiction, like most substance abuse, often begins as a
crisis of the soul.

* Treatment.

A lack of adequate treatment for substance abuse has intensified as some
forprofit substance abuse clinics have closed their doors. State officials
must rethink cuts for certain communitybased treatment programs.

In the face of this need, State Sen. Florence Shapiro is spearheading an
awareness effort that will culminate in a major drug summit for Collin,
Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties on Dec. 2.

Meanwhile, interested citizens should attend an important meeting scheduled
Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., at the Plano Convention Center. The Plano Police
Department, the Dallas Police Department, the Drug Enforcement
Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety will discuss the
latest trends. Grasping the dimensions of the problem is a critical first
step.