LEWISTON – Young people have emerged as the Lewiston area’s primary market for heroin, a drug associated in the past with troubled adults and hardcore addicts, investigators said.

“There is no stereotypical user anymore. The image of the down-and-out addict lying on the street – we need to erase that from our minds,” said Gerry Baril, supervisor for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Among some high school crowds, heroin bashes have replaced beer parties.

And with the purity of heroin reaching Maine streets at an all-time high, users are getting hooked faster and some are dying from accidental overdoses.

Police in the Lewiston area are investigating about a dozen unattended deaths believed to be linked to heroin or synthetic drugs that mimic its euphoria. The victims’ ages range from about 20 to 34.

In Portland, 14 people have died from drug overdoses this year, six of them considered by authorities to be related to heroin use. Two heroin-related overdoses have been confirmed in Franklin County so far.

The growing popularity of heroin among young people may be linked to its purity, which enables users to get high by snorting the drug instead of having to inject it into their veins.

“Injecting heroin is not a simple method of taking the drug. It scares people away. The novice users get the idea that by snorting heroin, it’s not as dangerous,” Baril said. “It doesn’t have that scary needle stick.”

With supplies of the drug plentiful, investigators say dealers often give away free samples of the white or brownish powder just to get new clients hooked. And there is a direct correlation between rave parties and heroin use among teen-agers, Baril said.

Young people also are drawn to the drug because of their natural sense of invincibility. Many of them see heroin as a new drug and are unfamiliar with its deadly, highly addictive nature.

Before raves at Central Maine Civic Center in Lewiston were banned, teens would buy smack there and snort it while listening to the music pumping around them. There are no more raves in Lewiston, but police say there are enough young people with a taste for heroin that private parties pop up at homes out in the woods.

A 17-year-old Lewiston High School girl who did not want to give her name said the parties offer a rich mixture of bags full of powder, weed or pills.

“If there’s going to be a party, the word spreads in school,” the teen said. “And it’s not just heroin. You can get pretty much whatever you want.”

A 15-year-old high school student added that it’s not just the so-called freaks, stoners or greasers having these drug parties. Mostly, it’s kids who play sports and get honor-roll grades, she said.

Baril confirmed the teens’ statements.

“Where there used to be keg parties, you’re now seeing parties with all these drugs,” he said. “It’s easier for them to conceal powdered heroin than a six-pack of beer.”

The growing use of heroin has led more users to seek help for substance abuse. Authorities also cite an increase in property crimes linked to heroin addicts seeking to support habits that can cost hundreds of dollars a day.