DRUG OVERDOSES ON RISE IN BETHEL PARK

Bethel Park Police Chief John Mackey said the community is experiencing an
epidemic of heroin overdoses.

"It's a real problem and we have to do something about it," he said at last
night's council meeting.

Since late summer, Mackey said, his department has been called to at least
one overdose a week.

While he said the number was disturbingly high, he did not have statistics
to show how much of an increase it represented.

The most recent overdose occurred yesterday afternoon. Officers found a
23-year-old man dead of a suspected heroin overdose in an apartment. The
Allegheny County coroner's office identified him as Stephen Kurty and said
an autopsy would be performed today.

Mackey confirmed that another man in his early 20s who overdosed in his
home in mid-January also died recently.

In an effort to obtain more information from the community about drugs and
other matters, council members last night said the municipality will begin
operating a tip line, which will be activated tomorrow.

Callers can give information about drugs or any unusual activity in their
neighborhoods by calling 412-851-2773.