Heroin use is skyrocketing in Kentucky.
Heroin-related deaths in the state have spiked sharply, from 22 in 2011, to 143 in 2012, and 230 in 2013.
“The problem we’re facing now is the transition from prescription opiates to heroin,” said Dr. Allen Brenzel, medical director, Department of Behavioral Health, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Prices for heroin went down at the same time that the prescription opiates became harder to get because of new laws restricting access. For opiate addicts, “it was cheaper to buy heroin than to buy pills on the street,” said Clay Mason, commissioner of public safety, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Brenzel says access to treatment is the number one priority of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Because of the craving caused by heroin, physicians prescribe alternative medicines, such as methadone, to treat the patient. “We have a medication that can help them transition into treatment,” he said. “And then we address the psycho-social issues that lead to the addiction,” such as unemployment or family trauma.
Myths and Facts
A common misconception about heroin use is that it’s primarily due to a character flaw. “This is a disease,” said Brenzel. “It affects the brain. It affects the biochemistry of the brain. It alters neurotransmitter ratios. These receptors that are stimulated by this cause a lifelong problem with craving and addiction.”
Many people also believe that heroin is an inner city drug. However, Brenzel says heroin use is spreading from the state’s urban areas into the suburbs and Eastern Kentucky. “What we see now is drug use begins at younger ages,” said Brenzel. “We’re seeing it across socioeconomic classes; we’re seeing it in our school systems.”
Saving Lives
The drug naloxone, a prescription drug that is administered nasally, reverses a heroin overdose. When given in time, the overdose victim will begin breathing and wake up. Kentucky law allows prescriptions for third parties to administer the drug.
A group called People Advocating Recovery, Northern Kentucky, offers regular training and access to naloxone kits. “Our goal is to saturate our neighborhoods with this life-saving medication,” said Jason Merrick, PAR chairman. “So that everywhere an overdose were to occur there would be someone within arm’s reach with a naloxone kit.”
Jim and Charlotte Wethington of Northern Kentucky lost their son Casey to a heroin overdose at age 23. In order to bring attention to the issue, they now use his VW bus as a public awareness vehicle to tell people about naloxone. On the side of “Casey’s Bus” is a sign that says “Do you know how to reverse an overdose? Ask me about naloxone.”
Signs of heroin overdose, according to the Harm Reduction Coalition:
- The person is awake, but unable to talk.
- Body is very limp. Face is very pale or clammy.
- Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black.
- Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped.
- Pulse is weak.
“I would have given anything on earth if I’d known about naloxone,” said Charlotte Wethington. “If the person Casey had been with had had a naloxone kit, our story might have turned out differently.”
Education
Jean Schumm, president and founder of the LaGrange-based Operation Parent, says parents need to protect their children, set a good example, and have frank discussions about drug use. Parents should role play with their children so they know what to do if approached about drug use.
“Teach them the words they need to know if they’re pressured by their peers,” she said. Operation Parent suggests keeping a drug testing kit at home so teens can tell peers they’ll get caught if they use drugs.
Critical, says Hedrick, is training for school counselors to recognize the early warning signs of heroin addiction, so they can intervene early on.
Hedrick said adults need to promote resiliency in young people. Brenzel agrees. “One caring adult in an adolescent’s world who thinks they’re special can help that adolescent overcome adversity,” he said.
Health Three60 is a KET production, funded in part by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.
