1. Heroin; an Epidemic on the Rise
IT HEROIN IS A PROBLEM
My Approach
Physiological Effects
Initial High: Warm/Flushed Skin – Dry Mouth –
Heavy Extremities – Nausea/Vomiting
“Coming Down”: Drowsiness – Impaired
Cognitive Function – Decreased
Heart Rate – Slowed Respiration
Overdose: Flu-Like Sx – Respiration Ceases –
Cyanosis – Vomiting – Passing Out –
Unresponsive – Irregular or Absent Pulse –
Death
Long-Term: Hepatitis B/C – HIV/AIDS –
Liver&Kidney Disease – Addiction – Death
9.7% increase
from 2012 –
2014 as
primary drug
“Addiction is something you don’t have
control over - you can’t control yourself. It
makes you powerless - you can’t decide to
say no.” – Billy Pfaff
What is Heroin?
• Synthetic Drug
• Poppy Seeds
• Morphine
• White /Brown Powder
• Sticky, Black Substance
 “black tar heroin”
• Fentanyl  Increased
potency
• Snorted, Smoked
or Injected
• Attaches to
opioid receptors
in the brain
• Converted to
Morphine in the
Brain
What is Being Done
• Public Health Emergency March 27, 2014
by Governor Deval Patrick
• Narcan training has been given to all first
responders (Police/Firemen/EMT)
• Substance Abuse Clinics – 104,233
admissions in 2014
• Drug Task Forces – Assessing, Planning &
making recommendations to the City
Council for local changes
• Laws are passing such as OD30 to help
addicts recover
4 out of 5 Heroin
Addicts Started
with OPRs
How to
Respond
to an
Overdose
• Call 911 Immediately
• Rescue Breathing/CPR as
necessary
• Administer Naloxone/Narcan
• Do NOT leave them alone
Heroin use surpassed
alcohol use in 2011 as
primary drug & 2014
in past year drug use
“Addiction is not
something you want to
do; it’s something you
have to do. You literally
don’t have a choice and
it goes far beyond doing
a drug to get high.”
– Steve Mackenzie
• Educate teachers, parents & other
adults about heroin, its effects, the
seriousness & how to prevent
addiction & help current addicts
• Build into elementary & middle
school curriculum – Bring in officials,
police officers & recovered addicts to
present & discuss real life examples
• Stop the Stigma – Open community
forums & community action
• More Resources need to be
available to help those who are
addicted get the help they need to get
clean – more beds & better/long term
treatment programs
• Stronger sentences for dealers