Monday, August 17, 1998 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 19 Students and law enforcement say it's getting easier to find HEROIN By Benjamin LeClair Special to the Kansan Mark Jones could buy heroin in Lawrence within 30 minutes. He said it would be more difficult to purchase high-grade marijuana in Lawrence than to score low-grade heroin. Jones, a former sophomore at the university of Kansas who now is enrolled at Johnson County Community College, lost a friend to heroin and has two more friends who are in prison for heroin-related crimes. "Don't get me wrong," Jones said, "You can get some of the best pot in the Midwest in Lawrence, but on an average Wednesday afternoon, it's much easier to pick up some junk." Junk, smack, H, brown, dope — good junk. They're all pseudonyms for heroin, but smuck is most commonly used, Jones said. After a late-winter heroin bust that nabbed three University students, it's clear to students and police that heroin is a part of the Lawrence drug scene. Jones said that he never had used heroin, but that it was a common sight in Lawrence. "You can get just about anything in "You can get just about anything in Lawrence if you want it." Jones said. On the morning of March 21, Jones' friend, Aaron Lenihan, 20, was found dead in his Overland Park bedroom — the victim of an heroin overdose. Jones said that Lenihan had used a significant amount. Friends told Jones that Lenihan was not dead that night but woke up in the morning to finish off a batch of heroin. "Aaron went back to bed and never woke up." Jones said. Local law enforcement verifies Jones' claims about the availability of drugs in Lawrence. An undercover officer from the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Unit said that most drugs, including heroin, could be found in Lawrence. He said regional trends generally reflected national trends. "We're usually two to three years behind each coast," he said. "As a result we're starting to see more (heroin) in the area. It is here in the community." Wally Mechler, director of substance-abuse treatment with the Heartland Clinical Consultants, works with former and current heroin users. He said there has been an increase in heroin use throughout the country. "We are starting to see a rise in Lawrence because we're seeing a rise in arrests," Mechler said. Neither Lawrence police nor the Kansas Bureau of Investigation could confirm a rise in heroin-related arrests. The February arrests of five Lawrence residents, however, including the three KU students, made Lawrence's heroin problem hit home. Despite the arrests, Lawrence Police Narcotics Officer, Damon Thomas said he had not noticed a significant increase in Lawrence heroin incidents. Thomas said there had been a national increase in heroin trafficking. he said the increased supply of heroin in United States may be related to newly structured heroin operations by the Colombian drug cartels. He said the cartels traditionally had orchestrated the trafficking of cocaine. Thomas said manufacturing heroin consisted of a three-stage process in which opium is transformed to morphine and then to heroin. He said new poppy fields had been cultivated throughout Colombia. Thomas said that black-tar heroin, a low-grade, less-pure form of heroin with a black vinegar-like texture, was seen nationally and in Kansas City, Mo., more often. "Black-tar heroine is more prevalent," Thomas said. "It's easier to make and easier to find." He said that manufacturing heroin in Lawrence might be possible, but highly unlikely. He said obtaining pure opium would be very difficult. The undercover officer said the majority of the heroin confiscated in Lawrence had been black-tar heroin. Regardless of what type of heroin is used, the drug has serious side effects that often are lethal Susie Spotted Horse, a drug and alcohol counselor, said people usually overdose on heroin because of the way it's made. "On the street, different types of chemicals are being used to make it," Spotted Horse said. Spotted Horse also attributed widely spaced frequency of use as a cause of overdosing. "If a user has cut down An ad in the Kansan is the best way to deliver your message to KU students 944 Mass. 832-8228 KIEF'S Audio/Video 24th & Iowa, Lawrence, KS. Look For These Sale Price Tags! Many tagged items Below Cost 48 Hour Buy Back Guarantee BLOW-OUT SALE Red Lyon Tavern RECYCLE your Daily Kansan Hollywood Theaters BEFORE 6 PM. 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