Ill. rep. blames heroin deaths on Mexican drugs

[April 17, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An Illinois congressman says at least 31 people in two suburban Chicago counties have died this year after overdosing on unusually strong heroin from Mexico.

Rep. Mark Kirk says the deaths in Lake and Will counties represent a dramatic increase from the 24 people who died of overdoses in 2008.

The Republican says officials have tracked the heroin to drug cartels in Mexico.

Will County's coroner has said some of the heroin appears to be so strong that people die before they can even pull the needle out.

Kirk said this week he is considering whether to run for Congress again, or turn his attention to a bid for the Senate or the governorship.

[Associated Press]

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