'OPRAH' TACKLES MANSFIELD HEROIN PROBLEM

MANSFIELD -- Richland County's heroin problem will be the focus of
upcoming segments on "Nightline" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Nightline" producer Katie Hinman got the idea after reading a state
wire story in which a Drug Enforcement Agency agent compared Ohio's
heroin problem to Miami's cocaine quandary in the 1980s.

"I'm an Ohio native," Hinman said. "It's one of the reasons I was so
surprised at how aggressive the heroin problem has become."

METRICH Enforcement Unit officials referred Hinman to Richland
County, which has a reputation for heroin in Shelby and Plymouth.
Producers and reporters also visited Willard in Huron County. The
story has been in the works since spring.

Reporter Lisa Ling has been to Richland County three
times.

"Lisa was so moved by the story that she took it to Oprah," Hinman
said.

Hinman said "Nightline" and "Oprah" will air different segments on a
yet-to-be-scheduled day later this month. The "Nightline" story will
be all tape and will run 10 to 12 minutes.

"We like our stories to have a strong personal narrative," Hinman
said.

Interviews with recovering addicts will be the focus of the "Oprah"
segment.

Hinman said neither show will portray Richland County as a drug
haven.

In addition to going to outlying areas, producers filmed segments at
the county jail.

"I'm anxiously waiting because I'm not sure what parts they're going
to put on," Sheriff Steve Sheldon said. "It makes you a little
nervous. You hope it's a good story and presents us in a positive
light.

"There's a (heroin) problem in our community, but it's not something
we've cornered the market on. It's nationwide."

Sheldon said many of Ohio's prison inmates have drug
problems.

"I don't necessarily think jail is the answer," the sheriff said.
"People selling it, that's where they belong. But the people that are
bitten by the bug, so to speak, need help."

METRICH Commander Lt. Dino Sgambellone said heroin use is pretty even
throughout the county, though the northern portion has a worse reputation.

Sgambellone said a troubling trend is the emergence of tar heroin in
Mansfield.

"Tar heroin is preferred because it's stronger," he said. "We hadn't
(previously) seen it in any great quantity in the city."

Hinman said she will notify the News Journal when she knows the day
the segments will air.

"I hope that both shows will be a wake-up call," she said. "Our
intention is not to scandalize anyone, just to inform."

Sheldon met with Ling and a producer for a few minutes.

"It's really neat," he said of the focus. "Maybe one of these
politicians will do something about it. Maybe there's some help
around the corner."