<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> Heroin overdoses raise concerns in Missouri

November 05, 2009 11:54 am

— WASHINGTON, Mo. (AP) — Franklin County authorities are warning parents about a disturbing trend — a rash of heroin overdoses, many ending in death.
KSDK-TV reports the eastern Missouri county has seen more than a dozen heroin overdose cases this year, including five deaths. Most of the cases involve people ages 16 to 24.
Sgt. Jason Grellner of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is urging parents to watch for syringes, unprescribed pills, capsules that don’t have markings.
Grellner says buyers are able to get heroin for as little as $10. But the current type of heroin is very potent — some have died using it for the first time.