Pubdate: Sat, 02 Sep 2006
Source: Portsmouth Herald (NH)
Copyright: 2006 Seacoast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1157
Author: Adam Leech
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.

DRUG SUSPECTS WARNED

PORTSMOUTH -- Flanked by area police chiefs, Rockingham County 
Attorney Jim Reams vowed Friday to make those responsible for 
supplying drugs to two Seacoast teens who died from overdoses pay for 
their crime with significant jail sentences.

"We're not going to forget these kids that died," said Reams, adding 
the flow of drugs to the county is constant. "And we're going to do 
everything we can to prosecute these people."

On March 14, 18-year-old Kingston resident Caitlyn Brady died of a 
heroin overdose. Exactly one month later, 18-year-old Stratham 
resident Ryan Scamman-Rawson died from an Oxycodone overdose. Police 
have since tracked the suspected suppliers of those drugs, and this 
month, a grand jury indicted four Seacoast residents on drug charges 
that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"I can assure you they will be long sentences; they will be strong 
sentences," he said. "Because the point of this is to send messages 
to people who want to deal drugs here in Rockingham County."

There were 152 drug-related deaths in the state in 2005. Reams said 
approximately 45 percent of the cases his office handles are drug 
related in some way. Felony drug charges make up 27 percent of the 
cases, up from 20 percent in 2000.

"It's a huge and growing problem in Rockingham County," said Reams, 
who said the county's proximity to heavy drug-trafficking areas like 
Lowell and Lawrence, Mass., as well as New York City, and easily 
accessible interstate highways add to the problem.

Reams announced 64-year-old East Kingston resident [Name redacted] 
was indicted on drug charges in connection with Scamman-Rawson's 
death. [Name redacted], 21, of Newton and Kingston residents [Name 
redacted], 22, and [Name redacted], 23, were indicted in connection 
with Brady's death. All face maximum sentences of life in prison.

Reams said both investigations are ongoing and involve many law 
enforcement agencies, including Massachusetts and federal 
authorities. He said detectives are trying to trace the drugs to the 
original suppliers.

"If we could, we'd track it back to the person that grew it or 
manufactured it," he said. "We'll take it as far as we can take it, 
and we will attempt to hold accountable anyone involved in that chain."

Drug deaths are often difficult to prosecute because there are 
typically no witnesses and the exact drug that causes a death is 
rarely identified by the medical examiner, according to Reams. In 
these two cases, police got lucky he said.

The police chiefs reported more potent, more serious drugs like 
heroin and Oxycodone than in the past in the Seacoast. The drugs are 
often sold at a low price -- as low as $5 for a bag of heroin -- or 
at no cost at all.

Reams said one of the two primary messages he is trying to get across 
is that drug dealers will be pursued, will be caught and will serve 
heavy sentences.

"The other message is young people who want to experiment with drugs 
have to learn this poison can and will kill you," he said. 
"Unfortunately, we have two graphic results who were kids, who are 
dead, in Rockingham County alone.

"This cannot continue. The kids have to learn this stuff is dangerous."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman