OFFICIALS HOPE TO STOP HEROIN DEATHS

Prosecutors meet today with local law enforcement officials,
emergency responders and health care professionals to discuss ways to
stem the recent tide of heroin-related overdoses.

Heroin laced with the powerful synthetic narcotic fentanyl is thought
to be responsible for at least four deaths in New Hanover and Pender
counties. Better communication between police and others coming in
contact with users could make the difference in tracking down local
suppliers, said Tim Severo, a New Hanover County assistant district
attorney who prosecutes drug cases. Severo and District Attorney Ben
David helped organize the meeting of the informal task force.

"We are looking at an overall strategy to attack heroin distribution
from the street level right on up," he said. "We don't want to leave
any stone unturned. We are at critical mass."

Toxicology test results are pending on the recent suspected overdose
victims. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration and State Bureau
of Investigation are assisting authorities in identifying the deadly
mix that is killing veteran addicts and novice users. Representatives
of both agencies will be at the meeting.

"We are working with the state and local agencies to get to the
bottom of what is going on. We are trying to ascertain the chemical
composition of it, what is in the heroin, what it is cut with and if
there is any fentanyl in it at all," Wilmington-based DEA Special
Agent Eric Savitts said.

Heroin cut with fentanyl that may have been made in an illicit
Mexican lab is responsible for at least 70 deaths in the Chicago area
and many others in the eastern half of the country in recent months.
Wilmington police Chief Ralph Evangelous said a task force can help
attack the problem locally. Capt. Bruce Hickman, in charge of the
department's Vice and Narcotics Unit, will attend the meeting.

"It can't hurt," Evangelous said. "The problem is that this tainted
heroin is probably coming from Mexico, and it's going to take a
concerted effort within our DEA Task Force to hit the supplier. We've
got to close the spigot."

Two Wilmington Police Department investigators are on the task force.

"If you want to have a real impact on this stuff, you've got to look
at the supply line," Evangelous said. "You knock off one (street
dealer) and two take their place. It's like trying to kill
cockroaches. You can't kill them all."

Patient confidentiality restrictions and an informal system of
communication between medical personnel and police make it difficult
to learn about some overdose cases, Evangelous said.

At least two men have died this month of suspected heroin overdoses
in Wilmington. Many other users have overdosed and were revived by
New Hanover Regional Emergency Medical Services technicians using the
drug Narcan. EMS will be represented at today's meeting.

"If it was all stopped today, it would still take some time for the
product to be used up and go away," EMS Battalion Chief Chris Gilmore
said. "We have a good relationship with all the law enforcement
agencies in New Hanover County. We're all taking in the same information."

Task force members "will analyze investigation practices and
hopefully come up with some strategies," Severo said.

Severo took the opportunity to fire an opening salvo at heroin dealers.

"If you sell it and they die," he said, "we will prosecute you for
second-degree murder."