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Monday, October 17, 2016 n SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
OPIATE CRISIS | TREATMENT
Immunity yields mixed results Proponents of programs like Lee County’s Safe Passage say they have to get drugs out of people’s systems before they can get drugs off the street
Tribune News Service
Reeling from a surge in heroin overdoses, authorities in the Cincinnati area made an offer: Hand in potentially deadly drugs and you won’t be charged. But the blanket immunity granted by a judge there over a month ago hasn’t brought in any heroin so far. Results from similar efforts elsewhere – including the Safe Passage program in Lee County – have also yielded few drugs, according to a review by The Associated Press. Still, that hasn’t dissuaded supporters who, along with officials nationwide, feel like their backs are against the wall as they try to fight
the opiate crisis. “Turn it in, get it off the streets; get it out of your homes, out of your families,” Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco, the Hamilton County coroner, pleaded last month. She and other county leaders had hoped people would willingly come forward with deadly drugs when a judge granted their request for blanket immunity on Sept. 7. But as of Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office had yet to hear about any drugs being turned in to any local law enforcement agency in the county. “We weren’t expecting a lot of drugs,” said Julie Wilson, a spokeswoman. “It was something out of the box to try
AMBOY
whatever we can to deal with this problem.” Recovering addicts who have gone through similar efforts in other parts of the country say they aren’t surprised Cincinnati’s effort hasn’t borne fruit. “The tangible drug is just the surface, and with no available access to treatment you’re essentially yelling to a drowning person ‘Just keep swimming!’ without actually throwing a life preserver,” said Steve Lesnikoski, 31, the first to go through a pioneering heroin treatment program in Gloucester, Massachusetts. TREATMENT continued on A54
STERLING
A lot of pressure to win Google Maps
Police are investigating the death of a teenager who was struck by a train Sunday near the Avenue K railroad crossing (area highlighted in yellow) in Sterling.
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
A Mount Carroll firefighter takes aim at a barrel Sunday during the Amboy Fire Department water fights.
Armed with a hose and good aim, firefighters have a barrel of fun when they face off for water fights and bragging rights BY PHILLIP HARTMAN phartman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @phartman19
AMBOY – The Amboy Fire Department rolled out the welcome mat Sunday, and it made quite a splash with the crowd. About 50 people watched as teams of firefighters from eight districts went head to head throughout the day, attempting to push a barrel past each
other with a jet of water from a fire hose during the Amboy Fire Department Water Fights, Emergency Vehicle Show and Fire Equipment Swap Meet. Finally, the Chadwick Fire Department had the competition over a barrel and claimed first place in the annual event. “It feels good to win,” said Gary Morgan, a Chadwick firefighters who was new to the competition. PRESSURE continued on A34
Teen struck and killed by train STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5501
STERLING – Police are investigating the death of a teenager who was struck by a train Sunday. The teen, whose name has not yet been released, was on the tracks about 500 feet west of the Avenue K crossing at noon when the incident occurred, according to a news release from the Sterling Police Department. He was taken to CGH Medical Center by CGH EMS, where he was pronounced dead. The Sterling Police Department was assisted by the Sterling Fire Department and Rock Falls police and fire departments. No further information had been released by press time Sunday.
A HARVEST OF FUN AND GENEROSITY IN STERLING Carter Morris, 11, of Sterling dives to place a marker on the Bungee Run on Sunday morning during the New Life Lutheran Church Harvest Fest. The church at 703 N. Lynn Blvd. hosted the free event, which featured combine and hayrack rides, inflatables for kids, teens and adults, and a lunch of pork chops, baked beans, coleslaw, corn, and dessert.
Members of the New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling, watch as a combine harvests corn from the 22 acres the church farms. The church will donate proceeds from its harvest to the Sauk Valley Food Bank and Food Resource Network. Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 219
INDEX
ABBY.................... A7 COMICS................ A8 CROSSWORD.......B9
ELECTION............. A9 LIFESTYLE............ A7 LOTTERY.............. A2
POLICE................. A2 OBITUARIES......... A4 OPINION............... A6
Today’s weather High 85. Low 64. More on A3.
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