LPD CONCERNED WITH OPIATE 'RESURGENCE'

Lincoln police and federal authorities are concerned about a growing
problem in Lincoln: a deadly drug called heroin.

At a Monday news conference, federal and local authorities are expected to
announce the indictment of Michael Siegrist and discuss other drug-related
deaths in Lincoln.

U.S. Attorney Mike Heavican said Siegrist has not been arrested and will
turn himself in to authorities on Tuesday. His initial court appearance in
U.S. District Court is scheduled for the same day.

The indictment, filed earlier this month, alleges that Siegrist distributed
heroin to Craig Hofer on May 9, 2001. Hofer was found dead the next day.

According to news accounts, Hofer, 28, died in his sleep. He was found in
his bed at his apartment at 2507 E St.

Siegrist was friends with Hofer and was a pallbearer at his funeral.

Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady declined comment on the news conference or
anything that will be discussed, other than to say it will involve
developments in a drug-related death.

Heavican declined further comment.

But it is clear officials have become concerned about heroin use in Lincoln.

On Thursday, Capt. Duaine Bullock, who heads the Lincoln-Lancaster County
Narcotics Unit, said his group has investigated eight or nine recent
drug-related deaths, all of which involved either heroin or cocaine.

Heroin reared its ugly head in another incident last year when a Lincoln
High School teacher was found dead in a North Lincoln motel room.

Jeffrey L. Bayer, 41, died at the Ramada Limited, 4433 N. 27th St.

Later, police confirmed Bayer had heroin in his bloodstream and that his
death was being investigated as a crime. Officials have said they were
trying to find out where he got the drug.

Police also are worried about a legal narcotic that produces effects
similar to heroin.

On Tuesday, a man robbed a Lincoln pharmacy of the drug, Oxycontin. Known
as "hillbilly heroin" for the effect it has when taken improperly,
Oxycontin is a legally prescribed narcotic.

"It's not that isolated, and I'm concerned about it," Casady said Thursday.
"Opiates in general seem to be enjoying a resurgence locally."

Bullock said none of the drug-related deaths his unit investigated involved
Oxycontin.

Heroin is a powerful opiate that can be snorted, injected of smoked.
Bullock said the drug seems to follow methamphetamine, which use has become
widespread in Lincoln.