Heroin overdoses are down, but use is widespread
Prescription drug abuse
The Office of National Drug Control Policy estimated that in 2008:
-- About 21 percent of Americans age 12 or older reported non-medical use of prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants or sedatives that didn't include over-the-counter drugs.
-- About 2.5 percent of Americans age 12 or older reported current use of psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes.
-- About 7,000 people abuse prescription drugs for the first time every day.
-- The most frequently abused medications are narcotic pain relievers, accounting for nearly 75 percent of prescription drug abuse.
JANESVILLE — Fewer people are dying of heroin overdoses in Rock County, but more residents are fatally overdosing on prescription drugs, officials said.
No one died of a heroin overdose in Rock County in the first three months of 2010, but five people died of prescription drug overdoses, Rock County Coroner Jenifer Keach said.
Eight people died of heroin overdoses in 2009, compared to 10 fatal prescription drug overdoses, she said.
Although heroin gets more attention, prescription drug abuse might be a bigger problem, especially among teens, officials said.
Both drugs impact all walks of life. Local teachers have been arrested on heroin charges. A local middle school student has died of an oxycodone overdose.
Law enforcement agencies have made several arrests. Groups are educating the public about the problem. Yet the issue isn't going away.
Heroin remains prevalent in the community, but fewer people are dying because users carry Narcan, a drug used to revive victims of heroin overdoses, Sheriff Bob Spoden said. Users also use the buddy system.
"They are still using heroin, but I think they are taking Narcan or they have a spotter," he said. "They understand the danger, but they're still using it."
Sheriff's investigators have several ongoing heroin investigations, Spoden said. Three prominent dealers were arrested in 2009.
Arrests temporarily stalled the heroin trade, Sheriff's Capt. Todd Christiansen said. But the drug always makes a comeback.
Janesville police made two arrests in nonfatal heroin overdoses in 2010, compared to four arrests in 2009.
Police have responded to five nonfatal heroin overdoses so far in 2010, compared to 12 in 2009.
"Heroin is still a problem, and we haven't seen any significant reduction in the impact by heroin," Sgt. Jim Holford said.
Police still hear from informants that heroin dealers are in Janesville, officer Bryan Naber said. Several other overdoses also might not get reported to police.
The needle exchange program has provided users with information about how to handle overdoses, Holford said.
In the case of prescription drugs, teens are ingesting pills because they have access to them, Christiansen said.
"It seems the younger kids are going after the prescriptions because they can steal them or buy them from their friends," he said.
Drugs such as oxycodone are expensive, though, and users sometimes escalate to heroin, which is cheaper, Christiansen said.
Kids often don't know what prescription drugs they're taking, Naber said. They also recklessly mix pills.
They don't know the concoction could kill them, he said.
When overdose deaths occur, friends and family members of victims often don't cooperate with police, Holford said.
"All we're trying to do is get the source to prevent the next overdose," he said. "There's a level of frustration there."
Law enforcement is working hard to educate the public about heroin and prescription drug abuse, Spoden said.
Investigators have been working with schools and helping with community meetings, he said.
Rock County also has been included in the Milwaukee High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The designation means federal money will be used to fight drug trafficking in the region.
Investigators don't think heroin and prescription drug abuse will go away soon.
Both drugs are highly addictive, Christiansen said, and Rock County lacks affordable options for treatment.
"It's going to take a long commitment before we see this turn around," Spoden said.
New program aims to combat abuse of prescription drugs
The Janesville Police Department is starting a new program to work with local pharmacies to fight prescription drug abuse.
Project Rx Alert will notify pharmacists of prescription drug arrests to help them become aware of patients who might be abusing prescription drugs or selling them on the street, said officer Kyle Austin, who is running the program.
When police make prescription drug arrests, e-mails will be sent to pharmacies including the name, age and address of the person arrested, Austin said.
Police also will tell pharmacies the names of people who make police reports claiming that their prescription drugs were lost or stolen, he said. Sometimes, people make false reports to get additional refills.
Pharmacists can review the names, contact doctors or talk to patients to determine whether prescriptions are being used appropriately, Austin said.
Police previously had no communication with pharmacies, he said. The program will get pharmacists, doctors and law enforcement working together.
So far, pharmacists are enthusiastic about the change, Austin said.
May 24, 2010 at 5:37 p.m.
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well said bella. as youve probably seen from past posts however, the people who think we are crazy for wanting to legalize marijuana, the ones who think we are crazy for NOT wanting to spend millions every year arresting adults who use drugs, are the same ones that NEVER have even an idea to fix the current problems. they stick their heads up their behinds and say we should continue with the status quo, even in the light of PROOF that shows the status quo is simply not working.
May 24, 2010 at 4:28 p.m.
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I'd love to see some comments on the prescription drug/heroin issue that the article talks about. Personally, I believe the "war on drugs" is completely misguided. I agree with thekid and others who lobby for legalization of pot. But I think we are not focusing enough on the dangers of prescription drugs - a perfectly legal way to get high and overdose. What are our legislators doing? Too busy catering to the pharma-lobbyists? And these doctors that are just writing prescription after prescription - where are the ethics? I had a situation in my family where the same doctor wrote out monthly prescriptions to a pill abuser...the doctor gave him 120 vicodin, 180 valium, 240 other pills (painkiller; forgot the name - some kind of opiate) - all in one month. If the patient called to say he lost a bottle, the doctor just gave him a new one. No oversight - didn't need to see the doctor more than once a year for check-ups. Now that seems like more of a crime to me than growing a pot plant.
May 24, 2010 at 1:41 p.m.
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not that i expect the blind to see or comprehend these links but i of course, will not stop;)
the value of marijuana when decriminalized?? yup, as i said a thousand times, you take away the profit you take away the motive.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-bea...
MULTIBILLION DOLLAR FAILED WAR ON DRUGS
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100513/ap_o...
May 24, 2010 at 1:36 p.m.
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chell: i know a lot of police advocate for the legalization of all drugs, http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php
but i dont know of many others that do. what makes you think that more drugs would follow marijuana down the legalization path?? who would you suggest administers the tests for illegal drugs, and who would you suggest pay for it??
do you see any financial benefit to not arresting adults for possession of marijuana and taxing it the same as we do alcohol/tobacco?? why do you think those drugs are legal and socially acceptable even though they are responsible for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DEATHS EVERY YEAR, when marijuana is not??
May 24, 2010 at 1:25 p.m.
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yeah, it looks like im the one unable to have an adult conversation. im obviously worth the time for you to post and tell me im not worth the time. why cant you answer the questions i posed to you sir?? i responded to yours.
May 24, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.
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You act like an adult? There's the biggest joke of the day. I've seen how you get when someone doesn't agree with you on legal pot,No you're not worth the time of day and you just repeat the same junk everyday. Grow up and maybe I'll think about it but for now just go away.
May 24, 2010 at 12:18 p.m.
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I'm on the fence as to how I feel about legalizing any street drug, yet I wonder if marijuana was legalized and taxed the same as alcohol and tobacco would this increase the use of more dangerous street drugs, prescription medications, over the counter medications, inhalants, etc.
Once one becomes legalized how long before another becomes legalized so on and so forth?
I think penalties need to be imposed on people who partake in illegal drugs, misuse of prescription medications, etc. If someone fails a drug screen there's proof they put the drug into their system whether they still have any drugs or drug paraphenalia on them. Sock them where it hurts, in the pocketbook. $200 fine for the first occurance increasing by $200 for every occurance following. After 5 that fine becomes $1000. Maybe that would change the minds of those use drugs. There also needs to be more inpatient treatment facilities to help addicts get through withdrawals, get the tools necessary to get and stay clean, 30, 60, or 90 days isn't long enough.
May 24, 2010 at 8:10 a.m.
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ha. just the other day someone posted about how i find a way on EVERY story to defend marijuana. now you say i need to come up with something new?? THATS ALL I DO FOOL IS FIND WAYS TO RELATE THINGS TO THE IGNORANCE AND HYPOCRISY THAT IS ILLEGAL MARIJUANA.
my name is thekid after my favorite baseball player ever. mr robin yount.
lets try this like adults JAG. yes, you are correct when you say that more people will drive while high WHEN it is legal. and more people WILL die on the road. i personally dont think thats a valid argument as long as alcohol is legal. thousands of people die every year on the roads from alcohol. we dont ban alcohol to prevent that, why do we ban marijuana for that reason?? high driving aside JAG, do you think its fair, in the united states of america that the police can enter my house and arrest me, take away my freedom simply because i want to sit on my couch and smoke some pot??
May 23, 2010 at 8:17 p.m.
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and you ever come up with anything new? when pigs fly maybe and no all your copy and paste doesn't count. Pot is still illegal so stop your crying and get over it and try growing up while you're at it, but then I'm sure your name isn't "thekid" without good reason.
May 23, 2010 at 8:15 a.m.
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you really did reply with your typical blather. i hoped you had something new. bummer. you didnt have to go as far as providing an example of all talk no meaning but thank you. again, i dont see anyone talking about driving high, other than you of course cuz you HAVE NOTHING ELSE. blood and i dont encourage driving high, at all. that doesnt explain why its illegal for me to smoke a bowl in the privacy of my own home. you can get drunk in your own home regardless of all the drunk driving deaths.
as for bloods post, far from all talk and no meaning, try thinking about it for a second with an open mind rather than reacting as you usually do. people are dieing from herion, prescription pills, drunk driving, and NOT from marijuana. update JAG: MILLIONS of people smoke marijuana currently and maybe you see news i dont, but i dont see the carnage on the road from high drivers. there are occurrences sure, but they are rare and still have NOTHING to do with blood and i smoking some pot responsibly. NOTHING.
May 22, 2010 at 11:40 p.m.
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Yeah whatever, here comes the all talk no meaning other than crying for legal pot ... go take a walk. Your line of "safest" drug makes it no better then drunk driving at all just your lame foot in the door rant as always. You really that stupid you don't think we'd have a high driving problem? no need to answer that. Why don't you try opening your eyes, if you can that is. You have a good day.
May 22, 2010 at 3:48 p.m.
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'that line about it being the "safest" drug doesn't make it any better then drinking and driving drunk, a high driver will kill you just as dead'
are you blind or do you enjoy making things up?? where did blood say anything about driving high?? you always compare smoking pot to drunk driving. try having an intelligent debate for once. i understand you are short of the equipment for that, but an attempt would be nice. actually it being the safest drug does make it better. hint: thats what makes it the safest drug. please reply with you typical blather...
May 22, 2010 at 3:17 p.m.
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This story isn't about you or pot, that gateway drug so stop your crying ... that line about it being the "safest" drug doesn't make it any better then drinking and driving drunk, a high driver will kill you just as dead. It's illegal so get over it.
May 22, 2010 at 9:09 a.m.
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'Heroin is still a problem, and we haven't seen any significant reduction in the impact by heroin'
'Drugs such as oxycodone are expensive, though, and users sometimes escalate to heroin, which is cheaper'
this is your multi billion dollar FAILED war on drugs ladies and gentelman. want to cry about wasteful govt spending?? gonna whine about the potential cost of obamacare?? dont be a hypocrite. this is wasteful spending at its sickest. people who want to use drugs will use them. notice they have fewew overdoses cuz theyve EDUCATED users on how to prevent an overdose. educate and regulate.
May 22, 2010 at 9:08 a.m.
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No one died from Marijuana use they are the ones running people over. How many time have you read the driver was stones?
May 22, 2010 at 6:42 a.m.
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Wait, wait, wait, I must have misread this article, How many people have died from Marijuana overdose??? I read about all the deaths from drunk drivers and now these deaths from herion and prescription "legal" drugs, but what about all the deaths from marijuana overdoses? NONE, could it be true that the safest "drug" is the one we spend millions and millions of tax payer money to eradicate???
Re-legalize it, regulate it and tax it and spend your tax dollars on the killer drugs!!!
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