Heroin- some facts
By: Elizabeth Hashagen
As I began my research for this story- I kept a list of facts I came across that I found surpising or interesting.
I figured what I wouldn’t be able to get into the story I could include in my blog-
Then I took a look at the list I’d accumulated and realized this would beone LONG blog if I tried to get it all in-
So- I’ll just share with you some of what I found out
One of the popular presentors on our Island is Dr. Stephen Dewey. He’s an investigator at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
He tries to put heroin into perspective for those who attend his forum.
Here is how he explains it– “The brain goes crazy,”
“After heroin ingestion, levels of the pleasure-stimulating neurotransmitter dopamine can rise 3,000 percent in the brain before crashing back to normal. To put that figure into perspective, a youth scoring a high mark on a test is biologically rewarded with a dopamine surge of only 10 to 15 percent” he said.
When friends and family were talking ot me about the series that’s the one fact I kept turning to– 3,000 percent.
I mean think about getting good news– and how you can be happy ( or at least I can be happy ) for days after something good happens– and that surge I’m feeling may be only 15%!
Dr. Dewey also adds that the flood of dopamine is so incredibly pleasurable the user will always try to recapture that first high. That’s why the first time you try it you get hooked.
But you have to keep increasing the dosage– because your brain releases less and less of the neurotransmitter with habitual use and addiction develops.
Teens naturally have higher levels of dopamine than adults, which spurs their experimentation with drugs, he said.
I also found this list if recent trends in teens interesting-
• Teens are turning away from street drugs and using prescription drugs to get high. New users of prescription drugs have caught up with new users of marijuana.
• Next to marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens are using to get high are prescription medications.
• Teens are abusing prescription drugs because they believe the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
• The majority of teens get prescription drugs easily and for free, often from friends or relatives.
• Girls are more likely than boys to intentionally abuse prescription drugs to get high.
• Pain relievers such as OxyContin and Vicodin are the most commonly abused prescription drugs by teens.
• Adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medication.
{SOURCE: “Teens and Prescription Drugs: An analysis of recent trends on the emerging drug threat.” Study conducted by Office of National Drug Control Policy. February 2007.}
November 19th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
WHY IS HEROIN SUCH A BIG PROBLEM NOW.MINORITIES HAVE BEEN DYING FROM THIS DRUG FOR YEARS.. AND NOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF HEROIN USE WITHIN THE CAUCASION SOCIETY IT’S A BIG ISSUE NOW… WHY COULDN’T THEY DO SOMETHING BACK THEN. IT WASN’T A PROBLEM BACK THEN. BUT NOW THAT YOUNG WHITE TEENAGERS DYING FROM THE DRUG.. THEY WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT..
November 19th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Dear Elizabeth,
I’d like to start by applauding the efforts of the News12 staff and team for their coverage on the Heroin epidemic that has gone on for many years. I know because on May 8, 2005, when I went in to wake my son and only child for a pancake breakfast and the first Mother’s Day we were actually looking forward to in three whole years, I found that he’d passed away during the night, from an overdose of Heroin.
Below is a Poem I wrote almost a year afer his passing, but upon finding something my son wrote, just weeks before his death. It’s about addiction to Heroin and what it did to his life. It hit me so hard, because I felt that it really said it all.
He’d been in and out of four rehabs, therapy, 12 step programs, etc. and honestly ‘wanted’ to be free of this drug. However, it just had such a strong hold on him that seemed to overpower and eventually thwart any effort, it just ruined his life! Here they are.
“And no one really understands, I’m fighting wars with empty hands.” -End-
Cameron D. All Rights Reserved, April 2005
“The Beast Named ‘Addiction’”
When you came home from rehab
We thought you had won
That war you’ve been fighting, a new life begun.
It didn’t take long though. It started again.
That beast, he came knocking, and you let him in…
“I’ll make you feel good, even better then well!
Come into my Lair and welcome to Hell!
You’ll find it inviting, all rosy and pink.
I’m designed to deceive you,
Control what you think!”
“I’ll be your best friend! My name is ‘Addiction’.
Now don’t be alarmed, just a minor affliction…
I’m really the monster that you’ll never see,
cause I’ll rid you of anguish and make you feel free!!”
“My cost? Inexpensive! To please is my goal!
I’ll keep feeding your head all I need is your soul
I’ll take all your troubles, so far they will go.
It’s our little secret, no one has to know…”
“That I live inside of you, day after day,
and that I’m the one driving, so I’ll steer the way
You won’t see what’s coming. I’ll cover your eyes,
to keep you in darkness from your own demise!”
“Yes, I’ll be your pleasure,
then turn into strife!
I’m the beast named ‘Addiction’!
And I’ll take your life!!! -End-
L.Pikuritz, All Rights Reserved, April 2006
He’d (We’d)battled addiction for two and a half years. But once Heroin got into the mix, it was all over and he just couldn’t seem to shake himself loose of this virtual ‘beast’. Every time he was released from each rehab, it would seem only a matter of time before he was using again. He said he wouldn’t and believed him, because I believed ‘in him’.
The Heroin changed everything about my boy; how he acted, who he was, things he did. But the saddest part was that he truly DID WANT TO STOP!!! The bigger part of this is that my son was a truly good person with a heart of gold who would do anything for anyone! He had a smile, sense of humor and whit that was tough to beat. He was a hard worker, gifted writer, loved music and helping people less fortunate then he. That’s who my son REALLY WAS. He was NOT the person that some only knew, sadly enough, for the time that he was using.
I guess that’s all I wanted write and again to thank News12 for their coverage on such an important topic! Keep up the great work and please feel free to contact me at the above email address.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Want a shocking story about a disabled child who has been discriminated against,since 2003 w/the William Floyd School District. Parents have never stopped fighting for his medical,educational,& emotional health. The abuse by the school district has almost cost him his life many times,regardless,the school district continued to deny his needs and retaliate against the family. 6+ years later,we’ve exhausted all finances,health,and emotional strength. Now that we have found a positive & safe future for his education and medical/emotional needs; the principal of William Floyd Middle School- Carolyn Schick has decided to retaliate w/ Intentional False Allegations to CPS to coverup the denial of his home instruction,that she refused to provide while he was under her care. This is the same thing that the William Floyd School District,Special Education Dept.,Board of Education; and their team of attorneys did only a 1 1/2 ago,where we had to endure 10mths. of investigators and county law guardians coming to our home and interrogating our children,as the school district persued us. The school system in this district is used to deny children and bully parents into giving up,even if the cost is losing a child’s life. All 3 of of children have medical issues,however Brandon is the most complex; educational and medically disabled,w/anxiety disorder due to what the school district has done. Homeschooling is his only hope of the education the WFSD had continued to deny him,but they will never stop coming after us,due to the enormous amount of proof,of the crimes they have committed in our son’s case. You name it,they did it! Please Help! Getting this on T.V. w/ a largely publisized story is our only chance! We are willing to provide whatever documented proof or recordings that you need! please email or call 631-484-0436 shannon (proud mom)
November 19th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
hello my name is lisa i called ur news station back in april of 2009. looking for some help and for SOMEONE, ANYONE to listen to me, my fears and story. my daughter is a herion addict we live in centereach. this has been a long messy hard fight and we are still fighting that fight. i swore that i would not and will not bury my child and that still is my promise and an everyday challenge. at that time i was told by your station that what i had to say and what i was dealing with was not a story. now all of a sudden its a HUGH story and that it is. that is because nothing is being done about this issue. the police dont care enough, they care more about the cuts and pay issues that they are going through. the government isnt doing anything to help as well with the health care part of this. there arent enough places for these kids to get qualitly help. just a hand full of schools are trying to get some handle on it. parents are not aware enough of what is going on around they’re children and in they’re own homes, schools, neighborhoods. there really needs to be more stories heard and much much more awareness.
November 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Angelina, I agree partly with what you’re saying, for what it’s worth. But you also answered your own question: It was previously a “minority” problem, not necessarily in the racial sense, but in the numerical sense.
Now the supply seems to have ballooned (I imagine partly because we toppled the Taliban warlords who were fighting against the poppy trade), and there are multiple dealers (apparently) everywhere.
Unfortunately, there probably isn’t going to be a clean solution any more than there has been for forty years. The real key is prevention, helping kids engage in life and cope with stress or boredom without turning to drugs.
I mean, look at how many times Elizabeth refers to other drugs. The problem isn’t heroin, per se, because if you take it off the streets, they’ll just move to painkillers or alcohol or something new.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
a custodian with the plainview school district was arrested with 50 bags of heroin in his possession.enough said.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Susan Rudnick -
Get your facts straight.
The custodian was arrested NOT ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS and was a PART-TIME NIGHT employee.
The police found no evidence of him selling on school grounds.
As bad as the arrest was – do not slander a school district by a part time, night, employee, doing something off-campus
November 21st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
brain surgery may correct the blindness .
November 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
To Lisa ; I am so sorry for your loss.I cannot begin to imagine or say that I understand what you and your family are going through or have been through.I hope you can find peace .The dealers must be taken off the streets.School is supposed to be a safe haven for our children to learn and grow: not a dealers den.The custodian who worked part time at a local Long Island school district in Nassau COunty is proof it has reared it’s ugly head upon us.Turning the other cheek and pretending it is not in my neighborhood is not going to keep our children away from this terrible drug.Thank G-D the person was caught and hopefuuly his connection/source has been found as well.Sincerely: a mother .
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Parents: get angry at the right people.Ban together united for the common good of all of our youth; Black and White , Red and Yellow.What will our children think of us and how can we expect them to listen to us if we cannot even agree that this is a serious problem effecting everyone on Long Island?We banded together after 911: embrace your neighbors ; clergy; teachers;law enforcement;private physicians ;school nurses and help stop this epedemic !If one is not part of the solution; one is part of the problem!
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 am
Susan -
Stop shifting the blame for drug addiction to those outside the home.
Again, your cliche filled response fails to recognize the role of the parents.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Some blogs aren’t worth answering.Some people do not have an honest bone in their body and are only looking to instegate and insight others to feed into their need for a war on words.Meanwhile our children are dying by needles,pill popping,binge drinking; you name it! To blame others never did and never will solve anything!I am very grateful that my neighors look out for one another, and they have my back as I have theirs.I am also grateful that the teachers and coaches cared as much about what went on outside off of school grounds pertaimning to their students.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Susan,
Your response confirmed my belief that you think the raising of ones child should be by “my neighbors” and “the teachers and coaches” (your words)
It’s astonishing that you think that parents have no part in this equation.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Again; INTELLIGENCE IS THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND.BRUSH UP ON YOUR COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND PERHAPS TAKE A NIGHT COURSE IN PEOPLE SKILLS.MEANWHILE: I KNOW WHERE ALL FOUR OF MY CHILDREN ARE. DO YOU SIR OR MAM HAVE ANY CHILDREN ? LET ALONE HAVE ANYTHING TO BE PROUD OF?
December 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am
to all the familys of any kind of drug addict. i have spent the past 48 hrs. in and out of hospitals with my brother who is addicted to perscription pain pills. sunday morning i found him in bed going into respitory distress. we’ve tried to get him into different programs but we’re told that “he’s not enough of a drug addict” when i heard that i lost all hope is any of these programs. people have told me to get him high then take him to the hospital. i can’t for the life of me think of doing that. I’ve left my own family for 48hr. to be with my brother and make sure he dosn’t take anything, now they want me to get him high so that they will take him. i guess the reason for me writing on this blog is not only to vent but also to try and send out a warning. i’m well aware that newsday and news12 do stories all the time on the heroin problem on long island. I think that the have never really touch on where this all stems from. i know for a fact that most people with a heroin addiction start with the persciption pain pills mainly oxycodon which is is “legal heroin” it’s street value is very high. these people get addicted to the oxy’s and start to run out of money. so what’s the next logical step? get the same high if not a better high for a quater of the price. (more bang for the buck) if you suspect that someone you know is having a problem with any substance, please don’t hesiate to confront them and start the healing process as soon as possible it’s never to early to nip this in the butt. don’t let your friend, child or sibiling be another statistic. please if we work together as a community we could stop it in it’s tracks.