What do you think of when you hear the phrase heroin addict? For most people the stereotypical gaunt, dirty street person comes to mind, but today that is all changing and the new face for heroine looks nothing like the former. Heroin is now affecting children, teenagers and even white-collar employees. All types of people, including those of different races are struggling with heroin addiction as is evidenced by the recent death of Glee star, Cory Monteith. His clean cut appearance masked the fact that he was a user, but officials are concerned this will lull parents into a false sense of security. Heroin addiction is not just a Hollywood problem!
The new profile for the heroin user in the United States is one of a white male in his 30's. The National Institute of Drug Abuse, states that the heroin problem more than likely started in their early years as a teenager. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported that the overdose rate of the heroin users in 2009 increased by an alarming rate of 80 percent from 2002. With the death rate of overdoses being 198 a decade earlier, in 2009 it was 510 teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 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.
This trend seems to be absent in the northern Alabama region, according to Pinnacle Schools. They treat teenagers from all over the country at the Elk River Treatment Program and report they have not encountered a big heroin problem. Generally, residents will range in age from 12-18 years of age and have a variety of problems including mental illness, substance abuse and behavioral issues. Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Martez Rogers, states they have encountered a few youths that have used heroin in the past, but it is really a hit and miss proposition.
Teens and young adults from Pinnacle report Promethazine as a commonly used drug. This prescription medication is used for nausea, vomiting, motion sickness or pain after surgery. Less commonly, it may be used as a sleep aid. This medication is in the drug group Phenothiazine. You will find a number of young people into codeine or 3-Methylmorphine, a commonly prescribed prescription pain med. According to Rogers, the kids like to use both of these with marijuana and tend to dip their cigarette, joint or blunt in the liquid form. Combining promethazine and codeine with a variety of sweet treats like skittles, sprite, jolly ranchers and of course, leine became popular in the hip-hop scene and is referred to as Purple Drank, Dirty sprite, Sipping Syzurp or sipping 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.
The new profile for the heroin user in the United States is one of a white male in his 30's. The National Institute of Drug Abuse, states that the heroin problem more than likely started in their early years as a teenager. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported that the overdose rate of the heroin users in 2009 increased by an alarming rate of 80 percent from 2002. With the death rate of overdoses being 198 a decade earlier, in 2009 it was 510 teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 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.
This trend seems to be absent in the northern Alabama region, according to Pinnacle Schools. They treat teenagers from all over the country at the Elk River Treatment Program and report they have not encountered a big heroin problem. Generally, residents will range in age from 12-18 years of age and have a variety of problems including mental illness, substance abuse and behavioral issues. Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Martez Rogers, states they have encountered a few youths that have used heroin in the past, but it is really a hit and miss proposition.
Teens and young adults from Pinnacle report Promethazine as a commonly used drug. This prescription medication is used for nausea, vomiting, motion sickness or pain after surgery. Less commonly, it may be used as a sleep aid. This medication is in the drug group Phenothiazine. You will find a number of young people into codeine or 3-Methylmorphine, a commonly prescribed prescription pain med. According to Rogers, the kids like to use both of these with marijuana and tend to dip their cigarette, joint or blunt in the liquid form. Combining promethazine and codeine with a variety of sweet treats like skittles, sprite, jolly ranchers and of course, leine became popular in the hip-hop scene and is referred to as Purple Drank, Dirty sprite, Sipping Syzurp or sipping 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:
For more information see Teen Troubled. Thank you to them for their valuable information on the subject. The author is not associated with any referenced program or site.
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