Thinking Clearly

Heroin replacing black-market prescription drugs, use on the rise: DEA, Grand Rapids police

  By John Agar at: MLIVE

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – After the recent arrest of a prostitute, Grand Rapids Police found telltale signs of a heroin addiction in her purse: hypodermic needles, burned spoons, an elastic band and tiny cotton balls to absorb blood after the drug was injected.
“That’s pretty typical for what you’ll find with a heroin user,” said Detective Todd Butler, assigned to the city’s Vice Unit.
Locally and across the nation, police have noted an increased use of heroin. Once the drug of hard-core addicts, heroin has gone mainstream.
The drug has become so strong that it can be snorted, which eliminates a hurdle for needle-phobic users. It also has become a cheaper alternative to legal opiates, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone. The non-medical use of those drugs has increased dramatically, too.
“They can be every bit as addictive as heroin,” said Rich Isaacson, a special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Detroit.
“The misuse of prescription drugs has been a big, ongoing problem, probably since 2006, up to today.”
He said states such as Michigan have tough laws to reduce the number of prescription drugs hitting the street. He said those abusing prescription opiates have turned to heroin when the cost became too high, or they were unable to obtain the medications.
“Across the country, people addicted to opiate painkillers frequently can’t afford their addiction, and they’re starting to use heroin,” he said.
“A hit of heroin on the street is cheaper than prescription drugs.” ...