BAD BATCH OF HEROIN FOUND IN LA SALLE COUNTY

A batch of bad heroin that has killed one person in Chicago and
sickened 24 others is believed to be in the Illinois Valley,
according to local drug task force authorities.

Chicago police officials called together top police and drug
enforcement officials Thursday to share information on a string of
heroin overdoses that took place Wednesday and to try to track the
toxic drug to its source.

Authorities believe the overdoses were caused by tainted heroin that
was being given out for free.

Two of the victims are from La Salle and range in age from 17 to 73,
according to La Salle Drug Task Force Commander Juan De Leon and
Chicago police.

The woman who died in Chicago was in her 50s.

"There is most definitely a concern that this heroin is here so the
public must be forewarned," De Leon said. "If this heroin isn't in
the area now, it will be."

De Leon is asking for anyone who believes they have acquired tainted
heroin to call the drug task force's anonymous hotline (800) 382-3398
and leave a message.

"I won't ask for their name, I just want these tainted drugs out of
here or people are going to die," he said. "And I encourage any users
out there to contact their local hospital for help with their addiction."

The tainted drugs were packaged in plastic bags, colored pink or green.