Pubdate: Fri, 25 Apr 2014
Source: Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Copyright: 2014 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.unionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761
Author: Hunter McGee

HEROIN, OTHER DRUG OVERDOSES ALARM COMMUNITY

DERRY - The town is not immune to the heroin and other drug overdose
deaths that many communities in the Granite State are trying to stem.

Five people have died from drug overdoses in Derry since January, with
four of the deaths blamed on heroin, police said.

"These are troubling times for all of us," said Ed Garone, police
chief. "This is a scourge that has gone across the country and Derry
has not escaped that scourge."

Also since January, there were 16 drug overdoses in Derry, with 12
from heroin, Garone said.

Garone was presenting his budget to town councilors Thursday when he
cited the figures. More users are switching from prescription drugs to
heroin, which is cheaper to buy on the street, Garone said.

In some cases, people who were prescribed a drug such as Oxycontin to
treat pain become addicted. When they can no longer receive refills,
they turn to the illegal market, Garone said. And when they can no
longer afford to buy Oxycontin on the street, they end up trying
heroin, which is far cheaper, Garone said.

The age range for overdose victims was from 19 to 38, and included men
and women.

"So, it's a relatively young population of men and women," Garone
said. "It crosses all the lines."

Statewide there were 193 drug overdose deaths - with 70 from heroin -
recorded in 2013, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

In New Hampshire in 2012, there were 164 drug overdose deaths, with 38
from heroin, according to the statistics.

"Over the past three years, heroin deaths have been trending sharply
upward," said Kim Fallon, chief forensic investigator with the Medical
Examiner.

Figures weren't available for Derry, but in Rockingham County last
year there were 28 drug overdose deaths, with eight from heroin,
Fallon said.

In 2012 in Rockingham County, there were 34 drug overdose deaths, with
six from heroin, she said.

During the discussion Thursday night, councilors expressed their
concern and wanted to know what could be done to reduce overdoses.

Councilor Joshua Bourdon said he heard Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin
speak over the weekend on the heroin crisis there.

"It's definitely a major concern in our neighboring state," said
Bourdon, who then thanked Garone for his efforts to help in the
addiction battle. "I appreciate your service with regard to that matter."

Councilor Phyllis Katsakiores said officials need to talk more to
physicians who may be overprescribing pain killers such as Oxycontin.

"They are the ones prescribing it," she said.
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