Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2014
Source: Saint Cloud Times (MN)
Copyright: 2014 St. Cloud Times
Contact:  http://www.sctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2559
Author: David Unze

DESPITE HEROIN'S GAINS, LOCAL DRUG OF CHOICE STILL METH

While the northern and southern parts of Minnesota have seen a spike
in heroin-related criminal cases, Central Minnesota's drug of choice
among criminals remains methamphetamine, according to local law
enforcement.

Stearns County saw a 35 percent increase in the number of felony drug
cases filed from 2012 to 2013. Of the combined 560 adult felony drug
cases filed in those two years, 11 involved heroin -- about 2 percent,
according to Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall.

By contrast, 214 cases, or 38 percent of the 560 total cases, involved
meth, Kendall said.

"Right now, the biggest drug problem we're seeing in Stearns County is
still meth," Kendall said. "We had a couple cases where people had
relapsed in meth treatment and used heroin. Other than that it's just
not the primary drug of choice that we're finding in this community."

Drug-related child protection cases, juvenile criminal cases and
chemical dependency commitments showed the same trends, she said.

In Morrison County, several drug dealers have been prosecuted after
users died from heroin overdoses. After each overdose, law enforcement
works backward to find the supplier and determine how and when the
victim obtained the illegal drugs, Morrison County Attorney Brian
Middendorf said.

If the supplier can be identified, Middendorf considers whether to
charge the dealer with third-degree unintentional murder.

"While it's true that the overdose victim willingly ingested the
drugs, it is also true that the victim would not have obtained the
drugs but for the actions of the supplier or dealer," Middendorf said.
"Everyone knows that illegal drugs are dangerous and potentially
lethal; this is especially true of heroin. A drug dealer knows that
they are selling poison. It should come as no surprise, then, when one
of their customers overdoses and dies."

The death is a "reasonably foreseeable consequence" of the dealer's
actions, he said, and the dealer should be held accountable.

"I have to believe that by prosecuting these cases we are discouraging
the sale and distribution of illegal drugs," Middendorf said.

Another effort to combat illegal drugs is beginning in July. A drug
court will start in Morrison County with the goal of protecting public
safety and breaking the cycle of addiction.

"I am trying to solve the problem on both ends," Middendorf said,
"prosecuting the dealers and putting them in jail and, at the same
time, reducing the number of users through drug court intervention."
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MAP posted-by: Matt