Forsyth investigates anit-gay hate crime Rainbow flag torched, home vandalized ►►PAGE 7
Special Ops mission textbook leadership
Electric Avenue rocks Newtown
Col. Peter VanAmburgh draws on real examples ►►PAGE 26
Free concert returns to amphitheater ►►PAGE 27
July 15, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 29
Heroin: Lethal, cheap and in the suburbs Drug more powerful than in the past By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Heroin has become stronger, cheaper and more available in recent years as the drug is in the midst of an unprecedented resurgence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 669,000 Americans used heroin in
2012 with 18- to 25-year-olds having the highest number of use. Since 2006, heroin-related overdose deaths have risen by 45 percent. In 2014 in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs, there were 23 overdose deaths directly caused by heroin, heroin laced with the drug fentanyl or heroin combined with other drug use. Of those deaths, males accounted for 74 percent, and nearly two-thirds involved those under the age of 30. According to Georgia Poison Control Center Director Dr. Gaylord Lopez, the resurgence in heroin use can partly
When you talk about shooting up gardenvariety heroin, those days are probably long gone.” DR. GAYLORD LOPEZ Director of the Georgia Poison Control Center be attributed the tougher regulations on opioid prescription drugs and the
Chamber president Bemont ‘going to the dogs’
See BEMONT, Page 14
See HEROIN, Page 4
JOHNS CREEK COUNCIL RACES:
Dawood reports $25K campaign war chest Early fundraiser sets tone for City Council races
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Yes, Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce President John Bemont has a secret life. Well, not too secret, but many who know him as the hardworking executive strengthening the city’s business community also raises and judges prizewinning German shepherds. Recently he served as one of the judges at an AKC (American Kennel Club) certified event. “I have been showing German shepherds since the 1970s. I have been a judge also for more than 30 years,” Bemont said. “It’s fun really. It is something I enjoy. “You get to see really fine
crackdown on pill mills. “The supply of [prescription opioids] is drying up. The market is such that those pills are becoming too expensive to purchase. The alternative is heroin, which is going to be half the price. And then you’ve got yourself a resurgence,” said Lopez. For many, the use of prescription opioids, such as common pain killers, acts as a gateway to heroin. However, many of these opioids are now classified as schedule II versus schedule III drugs, meaning that the amount
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com
SUZANNE PACEY/STAFF
AKC judge John Bemont watches a young trainer put her German shepherd through its paces. Bemont has been an AKC judge for more than 30 years.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. - Johns Creek Post 5 City Council candidate Nazeera Dawood announced last week campaign she has raised $23,500 prior to her June 30 required disclosure filing deadline with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission. The lion’s share of the funding came from her kickoff fundraiser June25 at Thornhill Country Club June attended by more than 65 “enthusiastic” supporters, according to her campaign manager Craig Kidd. “Obviously the campaign
is just beginning. Our goal was $20,000, and we met it and exceeded that,” Kidd said. “So we are very pleased to be where we are DAWOOD at this point.” This point being four months and change before the Nov. 3 council elections. Dawood has announced she is running for the seat vacated by Kelly Stewart who ran unsuccessfully for the State House District 50 seat. “We know Johns Creek has a history of expensive elections. We also expect a large wide-open field to replace Kelly. We want to make sure Nazeera’s campaign is as well funded as possible and as well
See CAMPAIGN, Page 12