AREA DRUG PROGRAM BRACES FOR OVERDOSES

ESPANOLA - A drug treatment program here is gearing up for the increase in
heroin overdoses that usually follows a big drug bust like the one in
northern New Mexico this week.

Amistad de Nuevo Mexico director Betty Jean Ross said so far things are
going well, and the number of people seeking treatment has increased.
However, Ross expects the number of overdoses to increase in the next few
weeks.

Heroin addicts left without a drug dealer will often look for a new
supplier and may miscalculate the amount of heroin used and overdose or may
try to mix prescription drugs, she said.

Ross hopes people who were left without drugs after Wednesday's arrests
will seek treatment.

"It's going to be a real focus for us for the next year," Ross said, "just
to reach out and say there's a program that can help."

More than 100 people have been arrested or sought out as the result of an
18-month undercover operation called "Operation High River."

Some were arrested in March. Most were caught Wednesday in northern New Mexico.

The indictments list charges that range from cocaine and heroin
distribution to conspiracy and maintaining a place for the manufacture,
distribution or use of drugs.

Compared to other cities, Espanola has a high number of heroin users, Ross
said, adding that she couldn't even estimate the number.

"It's pretty rampant," she said. "It's a high number."

Ross said she hopes to educate family members of heroin addicts about drug
use and overdose death prevention because she has firsthand experience.

"I am a person with an extensive history of drug abuse myself," Ross said.
She said she has not used drugs for more than six years.

She especially wants to teach family members of heroin users about Narcan,
a substance that immediately brings people out of an overdose.

"It really works," Ross said. "It really helps."