SERIES: INTRODUCTION - HEROIN

Starting today, The Times begins a five-part series examining how and
why heroin infiltrated Porter County.

Over the next five days, the faces of those who lost their lives to
heroin use will appear on these pages.

- -- Sandra Stephens, the woman blamed for bringing heroin to the
county and getting close to 30 young people addicted to the drug
tells her story.

- -- Users who have gotten away from the drug and those who are serving
time in jail because they can't shake it will share experiences as well.

- -- We'll travel to Chicago with local police to see where Porter
County users are buying their heroin and hear the frustration of law
enforcement officials who speak out on the need for more officers and
more funding to tackle the problem.

- -- From there, we'll move to the Porter County drug court and jail
for a look at how the system is working with heroin offenders.

- -- And finally, The Times will look at the people and methods
offering solutions.

In the end, it is our hope the series will shine a light on a problem
that some would rather keep in the dark and prompt candid discussion
and cooperation that can lead to changes for the better.

[Sidebar]

Heroin In Porter County, By The Numbers

The mortality rate from opiates in Porter County is 156 percent
higher than that of the Chicago Metropolitan area.

Drug-induced and drug-related mortality in Porter County increased
125 percent in just two years, from 2002 to 2004.

Hospital Emergency Department data indicate that compared to other
metropolitan areas tracked by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Agency, Porter County would rank higher than many other
areas around the country for the rate per 100,000 for heroin
admissions among those aged 18 to 25.

At a rate of 219 per 100,000 people, Porter County also has a more
than four times higher than the national average of 52 Emergency Room
mentions per 100,000 for individuals aged 18 to 25.

Reported monthly use of heroin by high school students increased over
700 percent in Indiana as a whole from 1993 to 2004.

Data from law enforcement also indicate a rising heroin problem,
particularly in Porter County. Outside of Gary, there is little drug
trafficking in Northwest Indiana. Users from Indiana often travel to
the south side of Chicago to purchase their heroin.

Over two years, from 2002 to 2004, the number of Porter county
residents arrested for heroin in Cook County increased 1,100 percent.
Nearly 60 percent of these arrests were among those age 26 or younger.

Arrests in Porter County for heroin-related crimes increased over 700
percent from 2002 to 2004.

The percentage of individuals testing positive for opiates in the
Porter County Adult Probation population increased 561 percent from
1996 to 2003.

Source: A Multiple Indicator Analysis of Heroin Use in Northwest
Indiana, Roosevelt University, January 2005