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Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘The heroin problem is everyone’s problem’

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On the street it’s called smack, snow, white horse, white lady, Aunt Hazel, big H, black pearl, brown sugar, tar, skunk or china white. No matter what it’s called it means the same thing: heroin.

Heroin was most popular in the 1960s and decreased its prominence in subsequent decades. However the drug is making a return and is showing itself in high numbers in Indianapolis.

“When I got (to Indy) in 2012, one of the first questions I asked when talking to narcotics detectives was about heroin. They’d seen some heroin but not a great deal. That has changed,” said Troy Riggs, director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety.

Increases in heroin usage were found using emergency medical service (EMS) data. According to Michael Kaufmann, medical director of EMS, StatFlight and critical care transport at St. Vincent Health, his team has seen an increase in heroin overdoses. Because heroin takes such a toll on the body, users will also enter the hospital for one issue, such as kidney disease, and then heroin usage is discovered.

“We used to see heroin overdoses on a monthly basis. There’s no doubt that now we’re seeing them on a daily basis,” said Kaufmann.

Based on this data, Bryan Roach, deputy chief of administration for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said IMPD has stepped up enforcement on dealers and users and have made a significant dent in the problem.

Experts say heroin abuse is a direct result of the state’s strong attack on Indiana’s prescription drug problem. In 2012 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named Indiana among the top 13 states for the highest number of written painkiller prescriptions. The state took action.

The Indiana Board of Pharmacy implemented prescription-monitoring programs; recently Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller obtained more authority over chronic pain clinics; and physicians are now required to do more testing on chronic pain medication users.

These measures and more have made it difficult to obtain prescription drugs, which has helped the prescription drug problem, however addicts are switching to heroin as an alternative.

“What heroin does is block the pain pathways to the body,” said Sheila Mishler, executive director for the St. Vincent Stress Center and Patient Services.

Today’s heroin is also much more potent and can either be snorted or injected. At the height of heroin’s popularity, it was 30 to 40 percent pure. Today, it’s 60 to 90 percent pure. This extra-strength heroin also increases the likelihood of overdosing.

“Because this isn’t regulated, you never know what concentration you’re getting or injecting,” said Kaufmann.

During an overdose, users’ breathing becomes slow, they become unconscious, develop a slow pulse rate, stop breathing or die. There is a life-saving drug called Narcan that can be administered in order to save the overdoser’s life.

Riggs strongly urges people to call 911 immediately if they believe a person has overdosed on heroin so that Narcan can be administered as soon as possible.

“We’re using Narcan through EMS and next year, we’re going to expand the use of Narcan to fire services,” said Riggs. “We’ve already expanded this in the Southwest district of Indianapolis. Since April they’ve saved 12 lives. This will go to other districts next year.”

What also makes heroin an issue is that it’s very cheap, making it affordable for just about anyone, even kids. Riggs said this also makes it harder to contain.

“Heroin is about $6 to $10 on the street. Even if a person preferred prescription drugs, why spend four to five times more on oxycodone,” asked Mishler.

While heroin usage and overdoses are primarily seen among white males in their late 20s, youth, and adults in their 30s; the heroin epidemic is important to all communities. Heroin knows no race, age, gender or socioeconomic status. Violence is associated with heroin usage therefore many believe Indy’s growing crime problem may be due to addictions to heroin.

“The African-American community should be concerned because it’s affecting their community too. The heroin problem is everyone’s problem. We all should be worried. It’s your family, friend, neighbor; it’s a fellow Hoosier. We all should be offended and care,” said Riggs. “And any time drugs are sold, that means money and violence can come as a result of that.”

IMPD’s Roach said residents in the Southwest area of Indianapolis recently saw a rise in crimes such as robbery. It was found that many apprehended suspects committed the crime to fuel their heroin addiction. Many also had mental health issues.

Riggs added that this year, four SWAT officers were shot by an individual selling heroin from his home. Behind the home was a storage unit filled with stolen goods addicts would barter for heroin.

The key to solving the heroin issue is to first know the signs. Signs and symptoms of heroin abuse include shortness of breath; dry mouth; scratching; small pupils; sudden changes in behavior; disorientation; cycles of hyper alertness followed by suddenly nodding off; and a droopy appearance as if the limbs are heavy. People should also watch for burned silver spoons; aluminum foil or gum wrappers with burn marks; missing shoelaces (used as a tie off for injection sites); straws with burn marks; small plastic bags with white powdery residue; or pipes.

Those who are using heroin should get help immediately.

“Even using heroin one time can lead to serious addiction,” said Kaufmann of St. Vincent Health.

Mindy Miller, clinical supervisor for the adolescent program at Fairbanks, an alcohol and drug treatment center adds that she hasn’t seen the typical progression of drug use – many youth are going from marijuana straight to heroin.

Since heroin is one of the most highly addictive drugs, experts say it’s difficult to get clean and stay clean. Once addicts enter a location like Fairbanks for help, recovery is a burdensome task – withdrawal from heroin is said to be excruciating.

“Their withdrawal has a lot of flu-like symptoms like diarrhea, sweats, shaking and irritability. Here, we use medicated-assisted detox to help ease those symptoms,” said Miller. “Normally it’s a seven to 10 day taper to wean them off the substance.”

To slow down and prevent heroin usage, parents are encouraged to not think their child isn’t at risk; and also educate their kids on the harmful effects of drugs.

“Your life can be destroyed. Many heroin users have a criminal record that follows them the rest of their lives,” said Mishler. “And for the rest of your lives, you’re always at risk for relapse and you’re always going to crave it. Is that how you want to live your life? It’s about having that frank discussion.”

Public Safety Director Riggs said publicly discussing the heroin issue could also help curb the problem.

People should note that the increase in heroin does not suggest that other drug usage has decreased.

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