An Epidemic: Heroin and Its Effects, Both Personal and Social

One particularly "bad word" among parents, teens, law enforcement, and other members of the community is "Heroin". Nothing good ever associates itself with the word; only physical and mental pain, chaos, ruined lives, ruined relationships, and many times a sudden end to one's life.

Heroin is "a white, bitter, crystalline compound that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic, which is also called diacetylmorphine." (Source: The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company.) It is commonly injected intravenously, though it can also be smoked or snorted. With regular use, tolerance levels to the drug build up, and one requires more and more of the narcotic in order to "feel the high", making long-term usage of the drug even more deadly.

Heroin directly interferes with the natural chemistry in the brain, and the effects of its use are often times irreversible and devastating, both physically and mentally. Heroin users often suffer from anxiety and depression issues, self esteem and confidence problems, boredom with life and their addictive routine, and most commonly anger issues, which, in my opinion, is perhaps the worst psychological effect of all. Users often become violent both physically and emotionally, often acting irrational and out of control, usually to those closest to them. A user of heroin is more likely to violently resist arrest when confronted by law enforcement than the average non-using citizen.

According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number of current (past-month) heroin users aged 12 or older in the United States increased from 153,000 in 2007 to 213,000 in 2008. There were 114,000 first-time users of heroin aged 12 or older in 2008. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2010.) These are truly heartbreaking statistics.

As a member of the community, a father, and a dedicated elected law enforcement official, it saddens me to say that I have had personal interaction with those who are or have been addicted to Heroin, all of whom have suffered immensely from its use. It has caused their families to be torn apart, husbands and wives to split up, kids to be without one or both of their parents, substantial medical issues, financial problems and significant legal penalties.

As of the last survey completed, 19.5 % sentenced state prisoners (completed in 2005) and 53% federal sentenced prisoners (completed in 2007) who are incarcerated in the United State of America are there for drug-related crimes. Other governmental surveys and statistics indicate the number of state and county sentenced prisoners that are incarcerated for drug-related crimes has doubled in the past 7 years. (Source: International Center for Prison Studies, University of London, March 2009.)

We, as parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, neighbors, friends and community members need to make an extra effort to stop the use, production and sales of this horrible drug in our towns, before it continues to destroy our youth and our nation. We need to take action by notifying law enforcement of suspected drug activity, supporting educational drug awareness programs in elementary, middle and high schools, and we need to stop sensationalizing and glorifying drug use in media venues such as television, movies, ads and magazines.

Please support your community and local law enforcement efforts to combat the usage of heroin and other dangerous and illegal drugs. Contact your State Representatives, your Senators and Congressmen and tell them how important it is for us to continue efforts to fight against illegal sources of narcotics and to continue to support educational programs about drugs in our communities and schools.