Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 2001
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Sault Star
Contact:  http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Elaine Della-Mattia

MORE EDUCATION NEEDED FOR MORPHINE USERS, CHILDREN: NORTHAN

Algoma's medical officer of health says a committee has been formed 
to increase knowledge about morphine and other drug uses. Dr. Allan 
Northan said a representative from the Algoma Health Unit, along with 
members of several drug rehabilitation/addiction centres and the city 
police, met Thursday to look at ways to address the morphine issue 
and provide further education to children and drug users.

Northan admits that the meeting was spurred by an extensive series 
that ran Thursday in The Sault Star.

``Certainly in Ontario and in Sault Ste. Marie there is speculation 
around the deaths. There is an awareness there but addictions of this 
type are hard to cope with,'' Northan said.

The committee is attempting to put together more educational 
information for the media to help area residents understand and cope 
with the issue.

``But there is always ongoing education around the community about 
drugs and drug education,'' he said. ``It was thought that because of 
the increased interest, more information can be put together.''

In the past year-and-a-half, morphine has been linked to 16 sudden 
fatalities in the area; two believed to be drug related were as 
recent as during a one-week period late last month.

In the other 11 deaths, the coroner is examining certain similar 
factors that are ``highly concerning.''

The coroner's office continues to investigation the deaths but 
morphine has conclusively been cited as a contributing factor in four 
between April and July 2000 and the primary cause of death in another.

Northwestern Ontario coroner Dr. David Legge refused to comment on 
the galvanization of public response to the issue to date.

``We can say that they are responding now and that's important,'' Legge said.

He was not at Thursday's meeting.

Last July, the coroner's office issued a public health alert warning 
heroin and intravenous morphine users that drugs on the street ``may 
be more dangerous than the users believe.''

Education programs are always in effect, Northan said.

Some focus on trying to prevent people from getting involved in drugs 
while others are geared toward preventing users to dabble into 
stronger drugs. Other programs focus on helping individuals deal with 
their substance abuse, Northan said.

``All parties are actively following (the investigation) and there is 
a commitment to deal with programming,'' he said.
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