Pubdate: Mon, 28 Mar 2005
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Johnson Newspaper Corp.
Contact: : P.O. box 409 Ogdensburg NY 13669
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Jim Reagen
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DEPUTIES: BEWARE 'MORPHINE' PATCHES

CANTON - Sheriff's detectives are warning parents in the Ogdensburg
and Canton areas that an estimated 30 to 40 highly dangerous narcotic
patches that left one child in critical condition at Upstate Medical
Center are still in the hands of juveniles.

The Fentanyl patches, a potent morphine substitute, that can be
applied to the skin like a bandage and is sometimes boiled by drug
abusers to make a "Morphine tea" also put two Ogdensburg area teens in
Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center for treatment for overdoses.

The third Ogdensburg teen was found unconscious Saturday morning,
rushed to Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center where he was later flown to
Upstate Medical Center by Mercy Flight where he was listed in critical
condition.

"We figure there are 30 to 40 more patches out there," said Det. Sgt.
Gus Burns of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff Department. "We put the
hospital on notice that they may get more kids suffering from an overdose."

Burns said the teens told deputies they only used one of the Fentanyl
patches to get high.

At least two of the teens left the patches on their skin all night.

"It had all night to get into their system," he said.

Burns said the powerful morphine substitute left the teens vomiting,
nauseous, suffering from chest pains and with difficulty breathing.

Deputies said the investigation began Friday when the burglary of a
canton home was reported.

One of the residents in the house suffers from chronic pain and was
prescribed the narcotics by a physician.

The Fentanyl patches and Oxycontin pills were stored in a locked safe
because of a previous theft that also led to a teen being hospitalized
for an overdose.

The teenager allegedly stole the safe and later pried it open, burns
said.

The teens refused to say where the rest of the stolen drugs
were.

Deputies say the investigation is continuing.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin