KING COUNTY, WA - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County and the Heroin Task Force appointed by Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and King County Executive Ron Sims issued the Heroin Task Force Report. This report outlines the current local heroin challenges and lists recommendations to confront heroin abuse in Seattle and King County.

The full Heroin Task Force report can be viewed by visiting: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/subabuse/heroin

"We must do everything in our power so individuals addicted to heroin return to being productive members of our community," Schell said.

"Heroin addictions take a very large human and monetary toll on our communities," said Sims. "These recommendations are an important step in dealing with current addictions and preventing new ones."

The three main recommendations of the report are to:

1.	Begin to provide treatment to all heroin addicts who request it, without limitations of waiting period, insurance, income or location. Unfunded methadone slots should be funded, and treatment options should be expanded. "Hundreds of people who seek methadone treatment each year are turned away and placed on waiting lists. This is unacceptable," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County.
2.	Educate users about the dangers of using heroin and mixing opiates with other drugs, in addition to the most susceptible times for overdoses. Specifically, educate people in jail about the higher risk of overdose upon release.
3.	Identify gaps in prevention services and ways to better coordinate and integrate services.

Background on the Heroin Task Force

In 1999, the Mayor and County Executive established a heroin initiative in response to the rise in heroin use in Seattle and King County.

• Opiate-related deaths (mainly from heroin) in King County reached an all-time high in 1998 at 144 individuals, exceeding the number of deaths from automobile crashes.
• Several local studies pointed to heroin use on the rise in the late 1990s, particularly among young injectors.
• A large percentage of arrestees in King County jails (17% in the first half of 1999) tested positive for opiates.

The goal of the heroin initiative was to form a partnership of government and community leaders, identify problem areas, and advocate for changes in several areas related to the problem of heroin use. As part of the initiative, the Task Force was formed, and 23 active members participated in monthly meetings.

"This report is the result of much hard work, and it includes valuable contributions and insights by a rich diversity of task force members, ranging from citizens to drug treatment and prevention specialists," said Schell.

The Heroin Task Force Report explores six areas in depth:

• Public perception of heroin use and economic impacts of drug use
• The criminal justice system
• Treatment capacity and access
• Health impacts of drug use and education of health providers
• Emergency response to heroin overdoses
• Intervention programs for youth and families at-risk for drug use