Heroin is indeed a problem here in North-Central Illinois (LaSalle County). It never was before the last couple of years, but it sure is now. But it's right in keeping with the realities of the area. This is the county with the highest per-capita rate of alcoholism in the entire United States. Our congressional representatives' (Mautino) family business is liquor and beer distrobution. The gangs are here now too, and this drug --- heroin---one of many --- came with them as surely a greed comes with corporations. Until we drop the puritanical ethic that tells us the punitive answer is the correct one, and rehabilitation stays so very far down on the priority list, we will continue to create and perpetuate this problem for ourselves. After all, it's good for the economy. (facetious)

Art Thieme