Posted by FC GAL on April 02, 2002 at 09:48:27:
In Reply to: Are we better/worse than average ??? posted by Jimmers on April 01, 2002 at 15:48:05:
Armstrong County is a major problem area for heroine (along with the other
drugs that are making the rounds.) And it can (and sadly, probably will)
get much worse. The small bit of information we are seeing and hearing is
just a tip of the iceberg. I am old enough to remember when the "adults"
didn't feel we had a drug problem in the 60's, 70's, 80's,...
The "experienced" (I prefer this term over "old")among us know that by the
time the issue reaches the news and the authorities it is more than a
beginning problem.
One of our "neighbors" has been having a deadly battle with this new round
of the heroine epidemic for years. The Butler Eagle has recently printed
an article by Jim Smith (March 24, 2002)that helps to illuminate the drug
issue there.
I know, some of you will now be saying, "That's just Butler. It's not us.
Our kids just drink and smoke a bit of pot...nothing major." It's time to
WAKE UP if you believe this. Kittanning is half an hour from this town.
Many from this area go to Butler to get a taste of the "urban" life.
Parents think it's okay, it's not like they are going into "big-bad
Pittsburgh" by themselves. How many of our teens hang out at the Malls
there? And like Butler, we are not far from Allegheny county, where it
seems that a lot of the heroine is coming from. (and, no, the answer is
not to keep our kids out of these "bad" areas...the problem is making a
new home in Armstrong County as we discuss this)
Sad, but the price of heroine is extremely low and it is highly
addictive. Many feel it is safe if they don't inject it. If you believe
that...I have some swampland for sale...:)
A few quotes and some information (because I feel it is important
information and few will go to the article to read it for themselves) from
the article that are of interest...
WWW.butlereagle.com
"Butler Memorial Hospital reports it treats more than one drug overdose
per day, or 482 last year. Heroine accounts for many, if not most, of
those cases..."
"Heroin has become an epidemic here," said county Detective Pat Cannon,
who spearheads the county district attorney's drug task force...."It's
everywhere in the county, not just the city...All the school districts are
having problems."
"EMTs at ambulance providers over the past two years have had to use
Narcan, medication primarily called on to reverse heroin overdoses, 181
times, according to authorities." (Are our EMT's ready?)
3 people have died in Butler county of heroine overdoses this
year. "including a 16 year old boy and a 47 year old state constable"
(So much for classifying this problem by a certain age group or by
economic or educational classifications.) "Heroine deaths are also
suspected in the deaths this year of two other Butler County
residents...those cases remain under investigation." (What's
this...umhh...the beginning of the 4th month of the year...A heroine death
or two a month....sounds like a problem...)
Tim McCune, Butler County District Attorney, is hoping to start an
anonymous hotline in his office for tips about users and for counseling.
Are we working on such a thing for our area?
I agree, it would probably help if we could see some stat's from our
county. I'm afraid they may lull some into a false sense of security if
they are not very high. In my opinion... all it takes is one death from
this problem...especially if it is someone you love.
Show up for the meeting, pull your head out of the sand, voice your
concerns, talk to those you love...before you have to plan a funeral.
Do everything you can to stop this problem.