MILWAUKEE STRUGGLES WITH HEROIN ABUSE ISSUES

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milwaukeeWisconsin, like many other states in the country, has been struggling with heroin abuse problems for years. It has reached the point where many of their public officials are calling it a “public health crisis,” and the situation continues to get worse.

Milwaukee county, in the southern part of Wisconsin and bordered by Lake Michigan, has been especially suffering in the past year or so. From 2013 to 2014, the county reported 119 people dying from heroin overdoses. (For comparative purposes, look at their rate of motor vehicle deaths, which came in at only 74.) This is the highest number of drug-related deaths that the county has ever recorded. It’s causing officials much concern. Continue reading →

SHOULD DRUG COURTS APPROVE OR DENY HEROIN ADDICTS’ SUBOXONE?

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courtSuboxone is the brand name for a drug called buprenorphine. It is one of a few types of drugs used to wean heroin addicts from their dependency, and it works by tricking the body into thinking that it’s still getting heroin.

This works because suboxone and heroin are both opioids, which means they belong to a class of drugs derived from a certain type of poppy. Each of these drugs (and all opioids) bind to the same receptors in the brain. This makes it so when the addict takes suboxone, it blocks the withdrawal effects of heroin, but is less harsh on the body. It also doesn’t create a high like heroin does, so it’s considered to be better. Continue reading →

HOW TO ADVISE KIDS NOT TO START USING HEROIN

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heroinThese days it’s easy to get worried about the safety of children. With global media and the mountains of information available on the internet, parents are informed of more threats to their children than ever. One of these threats is the danger that they will abuse drugs. It may not seem possible, but 27% of school-aged children have used illegal drugs. This is actually an improvement on previous years, but if a child you know is one of the 27%, that’s no consolation. Continue reading →

HEROIN IS SOLD CHEAPER THAN PAINKILLERS IN DENVER, COLORADO

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heroinMuch of Colorado’s attention, where it comes to drug use, has been focused on marijuana and the repercussions of its legalization. However, there is a more pressing, more fatal drug issue which is being pushed to the side.

Two of the leading causes of death in Colorado are heroin abuse and prescription drug abuse. Though neither is a good choice, prescription drugs are a marginally safer option for a drug user. Continue reading →

Can Heroin Addiction Be Blocked?

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heroinThe struggle with heroin addiction has been an ongoing one of urgency since its particular rise in popularity broke loose in the late 1960’s. Recent claims have been made in terms of a major breakthrough in treating heroin and morphine addicts. These research claims, which stems from researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia collaborating with colleagues at the University of Colorado, are apparently saying they think they’re onto something in terms of “blocking” said addictions. The claims go into further detail, saying that the drug known as plus-naloxone allegedly can selectively “block” the immune-addiction response. However, the proof remains pretty unclear in regards to these quite general assertions. Continue reading →

Why the Oreo Study Undermines Heroin and Cocaine Addiction Treatment

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oreoHeroin and cocaine are two of the most addictive and harmful illegal drugs in this country. In a survey done in 2009, 1.9 million people reported using cocaine within the past month. In 2012, there were 669,000 people who used heroin. Deaths from heroin overdoses have increased dramatically in recent years, and in fact heroin-related deaths doubled between 2010 and 2012. These facts make it clear that heroin and cocaine addiction are real problems that required effective solutions. Continue reading →