Heroin may just be the worst of all drugs.
Since it’s so addictive, once someone gets caught up in it, it’s very hard to find a way out.
According to Police Chief Jerry Narsh, it’s not just the drug itself that’s a danger, but also the crimes users and addicts commit to keep the high going.
A recent drug bust in downtown Lake Orion revealed the presence of heroin in the area. The case also indicated that teens as young as 16 years old were involved
‘Parents and community members need to know that we are not immune to this problem,? said Michele Novak, a substance abuse prevention advisor at Lake Orion schools. ‘Sometimes the attitudes of adults is that marijuana and alcohol are socially acceptable among our youth, and our youth would never stoop to these levels or these types of substances. That attitude could not be further from the truth.?
Novak provided a few facts about heroin.
The drug is derived from an opiate, which it is so addictive. It effectively mimics the action of the chemicals in the brain which are mood enhancing, our natural pain killers. If heroin is taken, the body and the brain become addicted. When heroin is used over a long time, then the brain can stop producing endorphins. When the heroin stops, symptoms can involve cramps, tremors and even seizures, coma or death.
It is thought that heroin can become addictive even after a single dose, Novak said.
Julie Brenner, executive director of the North Oakland Community Coalition, offered more insight on the deadly drug.
She said individuals who abuse heroin over time develop a tolerance for it, meaning that they must use increasingly larger doses to achieve the same intensity or effect they experienced when they first began using the drug.
‘Heroin ceases to produce feelings of pleasure in users who develop tolerance; instead, these users must continue taking the drug simply to feel normal,? Brenner said.
It is estimated by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that about three million people have tried heroin at some point in their lives. And, while many teenagers (87.8 percent of 12th graders) report that they feel that using heroin is risky, there is evidence that later on they may try it if they have used other drugs first.
The Centers for Disease Control, as well as the NIH, report that use of harder drugs like heroin and cocaine is more common among those who have used alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.Those who abstain from these so-called gateway drugs are much less likely to begin using heroin later in life, according to Novak.
‘It is important to recognize the dangers of heroin substance abuse,? she said. ‘Watch for signs of abuse, and remember that one of the main ways to prevent heroin addiction is to be involved in the lives of your loved ones. This is especially important with regard to children and teenagers. It may prevent them from getting involved with heroin substance abuse.?
Things to watch include performance, personal care, tendency toward recklessness and withdrawal from friends, family and activities.
Both Brenner and Novak said one of the main things to watch for in teens were dramatic life changes. But at the same time, parents need to take normal teen angst into account.
‘It is important to note that some of the signs of heroin substance abuse are also connected with depression and even normal adolescent behavior. It can be difficult to draw the line. If you see three or more signs, or if you are worried, you should carefully and lovingly ask questions to try and find out what the problem is. Even if it isn’t heroin substance abuse, it may be some other important issue that needs to be addressed,? Novak said.
Other things to watch for are runny nose or constant sniffing, needle marks on arms – and even on legs, slurred speech, very little motivation, hostility toward others and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dealing with the drug is difficult. The Lake Orion schools have several things in place, according to Novak.
They have drug awareness and prevention curriculum from kindergarten all the way through high school.? In the elementary schools, police conduct a program called Team.?
Team incorporates resistence skills along with awareness.? In the middle schools, drug and alcohol curriculum is taught in the healthy science classes.?
Project ALERT is also conducted.?
Project Alert is a program where selected high school students are taught prevention and intervention materials pertaining to drugs and alcohol.
The students go to all the middle schools? healthy-living classes and teach the students.? The idea is to have students teach students, as they may listen to the message if it is coming from a youth instead of an adult.?
For more information, visit www.projectalert.com
Also, in the high school, there is Unity Week, Challenge Day and various speaking engagements that are scheduled to constantly send the message against substance abuse and use.?
In addition, Judge Lisa Asadoorian, 52-3 District Court Judge, comes to Lake Orion High School once a year to speak to the students and to the adults about the laws and consequences of poor decision making.
Brenner offered these resources for people: http://www.oakgov.com/health/program_service/sas_about.htm; Substance Abuse Treatment Services in Oakland County: 248.858.5200; Orion Area Youth Assistance? 248-693-6878; Narcotics Anonymous: (248) 543-7200; www. drugfree.org; www. theantidrug.com and www. northoaklandcoalition.org.