The Silent Killer: What You Need to Know About Heroin

We mourn the recent deaths of celebrities such as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Corey Montieth but heroin has been a problem for decades, and not just for celebrities, but for every day people from all walks of life.

In January 2014, 22 people in Pennsylvania died in one week due to fentanyl laced heroin.  We often hear that the overdoses are happening because of a “bad” or tainted batch of heroin, similar to what happened in Pennsylvania. It’s important that we remember that there is no “good” batch of heroin in existence.

In the past year alone, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Florida (amongst many other States) have reported record numbers of heroin overdoses.  We still await the final numbers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, but 2014 could be the worst year with respect to this silent killer.  Why the increase now?

Here are a few reasons:

·     Prescription drug use of painkillers have increased 300% in the past decade alone. Abuse of prescription opiate pain killers (i.e., Oxycontin, Vicodin, etc) are behind heroin's growth in popularity with young people: these pills are the doorway to heroin abuse.  Prescription drug abuse is still more prevalent and responsible for more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. (CDC)

·     It’s cheap: Individuals become addicted to expensive pain killers initially and then need to buy painkillers on the 'street', but the pills cost between $20 -$50 each (or more). Heroin is inexpensive and accessible ($10.00 a bag).

·     Geographics: The vast majority of heroin in the United States comes from Colombia and Mexico, not Afghanistan, and we have not seen any evidence of a shift in this trend.  According to DEA, the amount of heroin seized at the Southwest border increased 324 percent from 2008 to 2013 (Office of National Drug Control Policy). This geographic proximity impacts availability and the increase in use.

How do overdoses happen? According to NIDA, “heroin is converted back into morphine, which binds to molecules on cells known as opioid receptors. These receptors are located in many areas of the brain (and in the body), especially those involved in the perception of pain and in reward. Opioid receptors are also located in the brain stem, which controls automatic processes critical for life, such as blood pressure, arousal, and respiration. Heroin overdoses frequently involve a suppression of breathing, which can be fatal.”  Interestingly, most overdoses happen in the presence of other users, which is why the New York State Good Samaritan Law is so important. The law, which took effect on September 18^th,2011 encourages people to call 911 if they experience or see a drug or alcohol overdose, without fear of being charged with possessing small amounts of drugs.

Heroin craving can persist years after drug use stops, and can be triggered by exposure to stress or people, places, and things associated with drug use. The best way to prevent your child from becoming addicted is to educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of both alcohol and drug abuse and take action as soon as you suspect that your child may be using. Know the risks of heroin use which include fatal overdose, high risk of infections such as HIV/AIDS, collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, and liver disease.

Most importantly, develop healthy communication with your child so that you can better recognize any changes that may occur with substance use. Your child will be more likely to seek you out if he or she has a problem if open communication has been established.  Drug addiction is a disease, and can be prevented and treated. There is also overdose prevention being offered at Putnam Family and Community Services. The next training will be on May 3^rd from 12-2PM. For more information, please visit http://www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.com/events.html

A great link for all this information can be found at the Parents Resource Center, sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug Free America at the web site http://www.drugfree.org

Members of the Putnam County CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions on any substance abuse trends that affect our children. There are self-help groups and treatment options available right here in Putnam County.  Please call the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies at 845-225-4646 for anonymous information and referral or visit http://putnamncadd.org/

Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.

Sources: CDC, NIDA, ONDCP