Health

Oxy Abusers Turning to Heroin

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On the streets, an OxyContin tablet can cost as much as $80. The steep price may be driving Oxy abusers to turn to a much cheaper alternative: heroin.

In the last five years, the number of heroin addicts at County-funded treatment centers increased by 57 percent. Heroin abuse skyrocketed especially among people between the ages of 18 and 25: a whopping 229 percent increase.

“While we’ve seen decreases in other drugs, there’s been a scary increase in heroin abuse,” said Susan Bower, Director of Alcohol and Drug Services for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “We are seeing more, younger men coming into treatment because of heroin.”

In 2007, heroin users represented 9.5 percent of all treatment admissions, about 12,000 annually. By 2011, the figure had jumped to nearly 17 percent.

 

County treatment centers are not the only places where heroin is becoming more noticeable. The County Medical Examiner’s Office has also reported an increase in deaths related to the drug.

According to statistics from the Medical Examiner, people under 30 are dying in higher numbers as a result of abusing heroin.

In 2010, there were 71 deaths due to heroin; 23 were younger than 30 years old. Six of those who died were just in their teens, a higher total than the number of teens killed by heroin in the past decade.

“These are kids with no other health problems,” Dr. Jonathan Lucas, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, has said. “For every kid who dies, how many others are using?”

Given the alarming increase in heroin abuse, County health officials are reminding the public that help is available at dozens of treatment centers throughout the region.

“Anyone can access treatment services, regardless of their ability to pay,” Bower said.

Parents who believe their child might have a drug problem and adults with substance abuse issues should call the County’s Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240.