The Hazelden report shows 17 opiate-related deaths in Hennepin County during the first three months of 2000, compared to a total of 27 in all of 1999 and 26 in 1998, according to Carol Falkowski, author of the report, and director of research communications at Hazelden's Butler Center for Research. Ramsey County reported 20 opiate-related deaths in 1999, compared to 12 in 1998.

We have also seen exceptionally high purity levels of heroin, said Falkowski. Of the heroin samples seized by law enforcement and analyzed for purity, none were below 30 percent, and they ranged from 33 to 83 percent, she said. Even experienced heroin addicts can easily overdose from unknowingly using a much more potent drug with an unexpectedly high purity level.

In addition, Falkowski said, it's possible that recent changes in heroin availability, packaging and pricing also have contributed to the increase in deaths. While $10, single-dosage bags of heroin have been somewhat commonplace in many other major metropolitan areas, they've been appearing more regularly here as of late, she explained. Prior to this, $50 was the standard amount required to purchase a dosage of heroin, and we think that these lower prices which make heroin more available, also contribute to opiate-related mortality.

The Hazelden report also shows that methamphetamine-related seizures, arrests and clandestine labs continued strong upward trends that began in 1996. Forty-five labs were discovered in Minnesota in the first four months of 2000, compared to 46 in all of 1998 and 109 in 1999. At the same time, Falkowski said, most other methamphetamine indicators (deaths, treatment admissions and hospital emergencies) declined. The lower rate of negative health consequences may be explained, she said, by the fact that most methamphetamine seized by law enforcement was of very low purity. MDMA, known as ecstasy, a methamphetamine with hallucinogenic properties, is being reported as a growing drug of abuse among young people who often buy and use it at clubs and rave parties, according to Falkowski.

In addition, two deaths stemmed from the abuse of another club drug, in 1999, GHB (gamma hydroxybuterate). Several recent law enforcement cases involved large amounts of GBL-containing products, which convert to GHB when ingested. Since 1986, Falkowski has been one of 20 drug abuse researchers in the U.S. who prepare reports on local drug trends for the Community Epidemiology Work Group of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The group serves as an early warning network for detecting new drugs of abuse, patterns of use, and populations at risk.

The nonprofit Hazelden Foundation, founded in 1949, pioneered the model of care for alcoholism, drug addiction and related diseases that is now the most widely used in the world. Today, with 50 years of experience and an unparalleled breadth of services, Hazelden is an international provider of prevention, treatment, recovery, research and training, offering programs, services and publications for individuals, families and communities affected by chemical dependency.

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