On the scene today, there is a new face for the heroin user that barely resembles the former. For many years, the stereotype heroin user was pale, gaunt, and a "dirty" street person. Heroin is a problem for children, teens, and blue and white collar workers. Not only does it affect all types of people, but also every race and culture. Public attention has been drawn to the new generation of heroin users, with the recent death of Cory Monteith, the clean cut star from Glee. The main concern regarding Monteith's celebrity status, is that it could mislead parents into thinking that heroin use is a Hollywood problem.
There is a new working profile of a typical heroin user in the United States, while males approximately 30 years old. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, heroin use probably started in their formative years as a teen. In the last decade or so, the instances of overdose have risen dramatically, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration overdoses have gone up about 80% between 2002 and 2009. Early in the decade, there were about 198 deaths associated with heroin overdose, but by 2009, that number had risen to 510 and was comprised of young people between 15-24.
In the past, most heroin was obtained via the Far East and Southwest Asia. More recently, the supply chain has shifted to include Mexico and South America, which are both much closer to the United States. These and several other factors are at play when it comes to the changing demographic of heroin users. Over the years, processing heroin and shipping have become easier and cheaper, which means it is more easily obtained and cheaper to the user as well.
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.
The Alabama School of Alcohol and Drug Studies (ASADS), presents a week-long conference every spring. Although the clinicians are not seeing a large spike in the heroin use at this time, they are still on the look-out for it. At the conference, they learn to address current trends and developments in the world of addiction counseling and support services for the children they serve.
At this springs conference Rogers talked about the increase in heroin use and the push by lawmakers to make Percocet and Hydrocodone changed to a schedule one controlled substance. Abuse of these drugs is prevalent, hence the need for new legislation. When the new laws are enacted using these drugs will carry stiffer penalties, and they will be more difficult to obtain. All of this will naturally push the addict towards cheaper more available opiates, such as heroin. Rogers states this could be even more detrimental due to the fact that heroin is being cut with dangerous chemicals to increase its effect or potency.
There is a new working profile of a typical heroin user in the United States, while males approximately 30 years old. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, heroin use probably started in their formative years as a teen. In the last decade or so, the instances of overdose have risen dramatically, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration overdoses have gone up about 80% between 2002 and 2009. Early in the decade, there were about 198 deaths associated with heroin overdose, but by 2009, that number had risen to 510 and was comprised of young people between 15-24.
In the past, most heroin was obtained via the Far East and Southwest Asia. More recently, the supply chain has shifted to include Mexico and South America, which are both much closer to the United States. These and several other factors are at play when it comes to the changing demographic of heroin users. Over the years, processing heroin and shipping have become easier and cheaper, which means it is more easily obtained and cheaper to the user as well.
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.
The Alabama School of Alcohol and Drug Studies (ASADS), presents a week-long conference every spring. Although the clinicians are not seeing a large spike in the heroin use at this time, they are still on the look-out for it. At the conference, they learn to address current trends and developments in the world of addiction counseling and support services for the children they serve.
At this springs conference Rogers talked about the increase in heroin use and the push by lawmakers to make Percocet and Hydrocodone changed to a schedule one controlled substance. Abuse of these drugs is prevalent, hence the need for new legislation. When the new laws are enacted using these drugs will carry stiffer penalties, and they will be more difficult to obtain. All of this will naturally push the addict towards cheaper more available opiates, such as heroin. Rogers states this could be even more detrimental due to the fact that heroin is being cut with dangerous chemicals to increase its effect or potency.
About the Author:
The Teen Troubled blog posted more information on the Elk River Treatment Program for Abuseclick here for more information on abuse of drugs and alcohol by teens. Teen troubled discusses health, raising teens, troubled teens, and parenting.
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