Heroin addiction has a new face today that is very different from the traditional image most people have in mind. Generally, heroin users were thought to be homeless, dirty and gaunt, however research is showing this drug is a problem for white-collar workers, teenagers and even children. What has drawn new found attention to this potential problem? The death of the clean cut star from Glee, Cory Monteith, for starters. Of course, there is a big concern that his death and celebrity status will somehow convince parents this is only a problem in Hollywood.
In the United States there is a new profile for the typical heroin user, and it is white males in their 30's, though some studies suggest the problem is more likely to have started in their teen years. Reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) state heroin overdoses among users was up an alarming 80% in 2009. Ten years earlier there were approximately 198 deaths attributed to overdose, by 2009 that number was closer to 510 and they were young adults or teens between 15 and 24 years of age.
At one time, the heroin was obtained through Southwest Asia and the Far East. Today, the supply is increasing because it is produced much closer to the United States, in Mexico and South America. Experts have reported that there are several reasons for the changing face of the heroin user. One of the main reasons is that over the process of the years, heroin has become plentiful and definitely cheaper.
The United States Department of Justice has reported that the production of heroin in Afghanistan has also jumped from 150 metric tons in 2002, to 664 metric tons in 2006. The United States government is cracking down on the regulations of such painkillers as Oxycodone, making these drugs more difficult and expensive to obtain. The crackdown has also lead to many users turning to the use of heroin.
At Pinnacle Schools, administrators report that they have not seen a huge heroin trend at the adolescent treatment facility. Elk River Treatment program sees kids from all over the United States, ages 12-18 years old, they suffer from a variety of issues including but not limited to, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mental illness and behavioral problems. However, Martez Rogers, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, reports no significant incidents of heroin addiction. Some of their clients report using it but it is not a constant issue and usually is something residents from more urban areas are dealing with.
Promethazine is a commonly reported drug of choice by residents. You would generally be prescribed this painkiller after surgery though it has been used for nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. In some cases, promethazine is utilized as a sedative or sleep aid. The drug group for promethazine is phenothiazine. Another drug of choice is methyl morphine or codeine, an opiate based pain medication. Residents often use bother of these drugs with marijuana, achieved by dipping a joint in the liquid form of either promethazine or codeine. Another commonly preferred method of use is combining promethazine or codeine with sprite, Leine or skittles. The kids like to call this Purple Drank, Dirty Sprite, Sipping Syrup or sipping on Leine.
Each spring the Alabama School of Alcohol and Drug Studies offer a week-long conference. Currently, clinicians and administrators have not seen a large jump in the number of heroin users; however, they are still keeping close tabs on the situation. During the conference, they learn more about current developments and trends in support services and addiction counseling for the young people they work with.
One topic of conversation at the conference this past spring is the correlation between the rise in heroin use and the drive to have many prescription drugs changed to Schedule 1 controlled substances. Rogers talked about how the high incidents of abuse for drugs like Percocet and hydrocodone has driven these changes to the law. Unfortunately, as the new laws go into effect these medications become harder to obtain and the penalties are higher. Which naturally pushes users to find the cheaper more readily accessible drug, in this case heroin. This can be more dangerous, Rogers reported, as many times harmful chemicals are added to the heroin to up its potency.
In the United States there is a new profile for the typical heroin user, and it is white males in their 30's, though some studies suggest the problem is more likely to have started in their teen years. Reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) state heroin overdoses among users was up an alarming 80% in 2009. Ten years earlier there were approximately 198 deaths attributed to overdose, by 2009 that number was closer to 510 and they were young adults or teens between 15 and 24 years of age.
At one time, the heroin was obtained through Southwest Asia and the Far East. Today, the supply is increasing because it is produced much closer to the United States, in Mexico and South America. Experts have reported that there are several reasons for the changing face of the heroin user. One of the main reasons is that over the process of the years, heroin has become plentiful and definitely cheaper.
The United States Department of Justice has reported that the production of heroin in Afghanistan has also jumped from 150 metric tons in 2002, to 664 metric tons in 2006. The United States government is cracking down on the regulations of such painkillers as Oxycodone, making these drugs more difficult and expensive to obtain. The crackdown has also lead to many users turning to the use of heroin.
At Pinnacle Schools, administrators report that they have not seen a huge heroin trend at the adolescent treatment facility. Elk River Treatment program sees kids from all over the United States, ages 12-18 years old, they suffer from a variety of issues including but not limited to, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, mental illness and behavioral problems. However, Martez Rogers, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, reports no significant incidents of heroin addiction. Some of their clients report using it but it is not a constant issue and usually is something residents from more urban areas are dealing with.
Promethazine is a commonly reported drug of choice by residents. You would generally be prescribed this painkiller after surgery though it has been used for nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. In some cases, promethazine is utilized as a sedative or sleep aid. The drug group for promethazine is phenothiazine. Another drug of choice is methyl morphine or codeine, an opiate based pain medication. Residents often use bother of these drugs with marijuana, achieved by dipping a joint in the liquid form of either promethazine or codeine. Another commonly preferred method of use is combining promethazine or codeine with sprite, Leine or skittles. The kids like to call this Purple Drank, Dirty Sprite, Sipping Syrup or sipping on Leine.
Each spring the Alabama School of Alcohol and Drug Studies offer a week-long conference. Currently, clinicians and administrators have not seen a large jump in the number of heroin users; however, they are still keeping close tabs on the situation. During the conference, they learn more about current developments and trends in support services and addiction counseling for the young people they work with.
One topic of conversation at the conference this past spring is the correlation between the rise in heroin use and the drive to have many prescription drugs changed to Schedule 1 controlled substances. Rogers talked about how the high incidents of abuse for drugs like Percocet and hydrocodone has driven these changes to the law. Unfortunately, as the new laws go into effect these medications become harder to obtain and the penalties are higher. Which naturally pushes users to find the cheaper more readily accessible drug, in this case heroin. This can be more dangerous, Rogers reported, as many times harmful chemicals are added to the heroin to up its potency.
About the Author:
Some thoughts and ideas on abuse provided in the articles teen-alcohol-abuse-and-drug-abuse and Pinnacle Schools Discuss Drug Abuse. The author is not associated with any referenced program or site.
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