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Harford Co. Declares War On Heroin, 4 Indicted For Distribution

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)--Harford County declares war on heroin. Four people have been indicted for heroin distribution. Three are under arrest and the sheriff's office is looking for a fourth.

Pat Warren reports, the indictments are part of its on-going effort to fight a heroin epidemic.

The McLaughlin family of Harford County is a victim of heroin overdose.

Jessica Kartalija: "Describe to me the day that you walked into Hannah's bedroom."

"She was in her kneeling position she used when she was shooting up," said Hannah's mom.

Hannah McLaughlin's family told her story to Jessica Kartalija in a WJZ special report.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman knows this family, and others.

"I recently had a young man that we lost at a volunteer fire company here in Harford County who had fought it for years. He had been clean for 6 months and the first time he used again it took his life," said Barry Glassman, Harford County Executive.

Harford County's war on heroin includes the indictments of Richard Lindsey, Phillip Mack, and Spencer Panuska, for heroin distribution. Police are still looking for suspect Abbe Aina of Aberdeen.

"We've got to go after this. Really the numbers are astounding. And we're seeing some poll numbers that 11th and 12th graders are getting the message, but we're beginning to see in the middle school ages that there is some exposure there," Glassman said.

And like the McLaughlin family, parents may be shocked to realize the extent of the problem.

The County Executive is looking at additional funding for treatment as well as law enforcement.

There is a statewide task force in Maryland appointed by the governor.

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