READING THIS MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE:

CINCINNATI: 174 HEROIN OVERDOSES IN 6 DAYS

An alarming spike in the number of heroin overdoses has taken place in the last week. Many of us are aware of the heroin epidemic in this country and the toll it is taking on our society. In the last 2 weeks, however, we have witnessed an even more devastating increase in heroin overdoses. In Cincinnati, OH, for instance, there are usually 4 heroin overdoses a day, or 25 in a week. That statistic is staggering enough. In the last week, however, that number skyrocketed to 174 heroin overdoses in six days.

This trend is also showing up in other areas where heroin use is a large problem. West Virginia reported 27 overdoses in one 5 hour period on August 15. On August 24, Montgomery County KY reported 12 overdoses and Camden, NJ reported 29 heroin overdoses on the same day. These numbers are overwhelming even by today’s standards.

Why is this happening?

Two frightening new trends are the cause of this deadly epidemic. Carfentanil use is the main culprit. Carfentanil is a cousin of the opioid fentanyl that is used to tranquilize large animals like elephants. Combining this with heroin makes the supply last longer and provides a stronger high. It is also even more addictive than heroin alone. Therefore, although it causes more overdoses and deaths, the drug dealers know that those that survive the deadly cocktail will be back for their next dose even more quickly than before.

The weakened effectiveness of Narcan is the other reason for this grim upward trend in heroin overdoses. Narcan is the nasal inhaler used to reverse the side effects of heroin overdose. For some reason, Narcan is not working as well anymore. Nine doses may be needed when three doses were sufficient previously. This could be because of the new combination of drugs mixed with heroin is more than Narcan can handle. Thus, many who may have escaped the effects of heroin overdose before with Narcan are no longer as easily helped.

In conclusion, the heroin addiction crisis that was already dire has become much worse in the last few weeks. The deadly cocktail of opioids and heroin is more potent and addictive than ever. That, coupled with the ineffectiveness of Narcan makes for a deadly mixture. We urge you, please DO NOT DO HEROIN TODAY. Ask yourself, is that high worth your life? What would happen to your family? If you feel you need heroin to get through the day and want help, call us. We can help you get your life back. (800) 247-6111.

Resource:

Mettler, Kate. "‘This Is Unprecedented': 174 Heroin Overdoses in 6 Days in Cincinnati." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2016. Web. 29 Aug. 2016.

Heroin Overdose

Heroin Overdose

“What is an overdose?”
You might hear people discussing the term “overdose” without understanding what it means. An overdose occurs when someone takes a large amount of a substance. Some people think that this can only happen to new users or those who use the drug frequently, but it can happen to anyone. New users are at risk of suffering an overdose because they might take a higher dose than intended.
Long-term users can also suffer an overdose because of the tolerance the person has to the drug. People who take heroin cannot get the same rush after several uses as they did in the beginning. To get that initial rush, the user must take increasingly larger doses. The body adjusts to each new amount, which makes the person take larger and larger doses. When the body can no longer adjust to the increased levels of heroin in the system, it reacts in the form of heroin overdose symptoms. In addition, a user might encounter an unexpectedly pure batch of heroin, so that user injects more of the active ingredient than anticipated.

What Are the Symptoms?

The signs of an overdose on heroin occur quickly after an individual takes the substance. Some people can have a conversation or do other things before the signs appear. Others find that they begin exhibiting heroin overdose symptoms within minutes after taking a dose of the drug. According to MedlinePlus, these symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing
Confusion                                                                
Decreased breathing
Constipation
Stomach cramps
Dilated pupils
White patches on the tongue
Drop in blood pressure
Reduced heart rate
Sleepiness
Muscle spasms
Dry mouth
Bluish tinge to the mouth
Bluish tinge on the fingernails

Heroin deaths increase when…

There are some common social characteristics in heroin deaths. Most fatalities involve men, particularly those who have struggled with other drugs or alcohol and other drugs or alcohol are often present.
While many are single, most users die in their homes and/or in the company of another person.
An addict does have a much higher chance of dying if he or she leaves treatment. The risk of death is higher for newly clean heroin addicts. A number of fatalities appear to happen after periods of reduced use, one2000 study showed.
In fact, long-term users who die from overdoses are likely to have heroin levels no higher than those who survive.
That may be in part because those who are newly clean don’t know how much of the drug to give themselves any more, Drexler said. They won’t need the same amount to get high as when they were using more regularly.
There are also some studies that show tolerance to the respiratory depressive effects of opiates increases at a slower rate than tolerance to the euphoric and analgesic effects. As your tolerance to the drug develops, you typically need more of it to produce the high you are used to getting. This may be why long-term users are potentially at greater risk of overdose than novices.
Statistics suggest that newer heroin users aren’t the ones most likely to die.One study showed only 17% of the deaths studied were in new heroin users.
However, Drexler said newer users can overdose because they don’t know how much drug to take, compared to experienced users. “I think it is misleading to say you would not die if you only use it once or twice,” she said.
A person’s chances of dying from heroin use increase dramatically after 20 years of use. Studies show that after 30 years of use, 16% of heroin users have died, compared with 6.5% of cocaine users and 1.5% of meth users.

Sources:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
http://www.projectknow.com/research/heroin-overdose/