Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jul 2014
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Page: A9

WHITE HOUSE'S STRATEGY TARGETS OPIOIDS, OVERDOSES

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - Closely mirroring its past positions, the Obama 
administration's 2014 drug policy will focus tightly on curbing 
heroin use and prescription painkillers abuse while continuing to 
oppose the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use.

Officials are particularly concerned about preventing fatal 
overdoses, said Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White 
House's Office of National Drug Control Policy. He outlined the 
administration's blueprint at a news conference Wednesday at a drug 
treatment facility in Roanoke.

He acknowledged that the strategy does not substantially differ from 
past positions but said the White House is now focused in depth on 
the problem associated with the abuse of opioids, which include 
heroin and painkillers.

"With the reports of increasing heroin use in many American 
communities, including right here in Virginia, we are growing 
increasingly concerned by the potential transition from prescription 
opioid abuse to heroin and injected drug use," Botticelli said.

In March, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called the increase in 
heroin-related deaths an urgent health crisis and said first 
responders should carry Narcan, an overdose reversal drug. This year, 
actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a toxic mix of drugs including 
heroin and cocaine. In 2013, "Glee" actor Cory Monteith died of an 
overdose of heroin and alcohol.

Gail Burress, director of adult clinical services at Blue Ridge 
Behavioral Healthcare, where Wednesday's news conference was held, 
said there's been a "tremendous escalation" of heroin use in Roanoke, 
including among teens.

Botticelli said he traveled to Roanoke to highlight its comprehensive 
efforts to curb drug abuse. He noted that Roanoke had the first drug 
court in Virginia and praised the city's police chief for 
implementing a program that allows first-time, non-violent drug 
offenders to avoid prison.
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