THE Va ir my vi 40 pages AMD WEST VAN Ee Office, Editorial 985-2131 Pure drug leaves dangerous mark, NV paramedics attest NORTH VANCOUVER ambulance crews are witnessing a significant increase in the number of heroin overdoses on ‘the North Shore, says one paramedic. ‘Tim Jones, an advanced life support paramedic, said he has personally been called to the scene of three near-death heroin over- _ doses. in the last month alone. ’ Paramedics on other shifts have . : encountered similar situations, ; Jones added. “'"- “We get called because the per- ... son is-non-breathing,”’ said Jones, the unit chief of the North Van- ‘couver station of. the B.C.. Am- bulance Service. ‘‘This is not typi- cal.of the North Shore,’ he said. _ The fact that the people involv- ed were unconscious and in respi- ..Yatory arrest . when paramedics arrived points to the high purity of the heroin, said Jones. “They're literally unconscious the moment they. take the needle out Of the vein. That's how pure it is.” 1 Jones stressed that uncapped ‘ Needles: pose a serious health ihazard. .‘‘The ‘public should be aware of that. We're also telling our. crews, fire crews and the “, police to be very careful,’’ Jones said. “In general we do not have muén.of-a problem with heroin in ‘North Vancouver, said Sgt. Richard Lawrence, the head of the North Vancouver, RCMP drug squad. : _ Last month an .- undercover operation involving the North .Vancouver. RCMP and the West Vancouver . Police resulted in two men being charged with heroin- related offences. The operation, which took place ‘near the intersection of Marine Drive and Capilano Road, includ- ed the undercover purchase and seizure of 3.5 grams of high-grade heroin. Another half gram of heroin was also seized. “Phat’s the first seizure of heroin we’ve had over here for approximately a year,’’ Lawrence said. Brian O’Connor, North Shore By Chris Weng Contributing Writer medical health officer, said he was unaware of the increase in heroin overdoses. ‘I think it’s important that we look into this,’? O’Connor said. Meanwhile provincial Health PARAMEDIC RYAN Shellborn holds vial of Narcan, a drug that helps to counteract the ef- fects of an overdose. Minister Elizabeth Cull announced the formation of a task force ex- amining the increase in drug- related deaths in B.C. : The task force, to be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of - Attorney General, was sparked by a recent rash of deaths resulting from heroin overdoses, said Donna Sit- ter, a communications officer with the Ministry of Attorney Gencral. The task force, headed by chief coroner Vince Cain, will start meeting this month, she said. (@ Classified Ads... .. fH Cocktails & Caviar 8 Comics ...............26 WH Crossword... ..... _ BBFashion...............18 @ Horoscopes......... § Bob Hunter ........ Lifestyles 8 Vintage Years ...... EH What's Going On . Weather Monday, Tuesday, sunny. Highs 22°C, lows 13°C. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement Number 0087238 ‘REACHING EVERY DOOR eS ae ae ae CUTTING EDGE Hair styles look back to the '70s for inspiration. Display Advertising 980-0511 gift store. Oh Canada! LIGHTHEART Personalized service key to success of fine ¥ NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge A GROUP of young patriots took in the Canada Day festivities on Thursday at { Lonsdale Quay and Waterfront Park in honor of the couniry’s 126th birthday.