Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2007
Source: Union, The (Grass Valley, CA)
Copyright: 2007 The Union
Contact:  http://www.theunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/957
Author: Sierra Countis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

HEROIN USE ON RISE IN NEVADA COUNTY

While methamphetamine is still the drug of choice in Nevada County, 
two other narcotics are emerging on the scene - heroin and OxyContin 
- - powerful and addictive substances, said Bob Gillaspie, drug and 
alcohol program manager with the Nevada County Behavioral Health Department.

"(Nevada County) is seeing an increase of heroin use, within just 
this last year," Gillaspie said.

A 23-year-old Truckee man was treated for a heroin overdose last 
week. Truckee Fire Protection District treated him at the scene with 
Narcan, then transported him to Tahoe Forest Hospital, Truckee Police 
Detective Robert Womack said.

Narcan, a drug used to quickly reverse the effects of heroin, is 
built into the emergency medical response protocol because of its 
effectiveness, said Dr. Michael MacQuarrie, the hospital's director 
of emergency services.

Even so, Tahoe Forest rarely treats drug overdose patients. Last 
week's case was the "first we've seen in 10 years," he said. Most 
often, emergency room staff deal with the medical effects related to 
drug use: Heart attacks, chest pains, seizures, or accidents 
connected to heavy alcohol consumption, MacQuarrie said.

Western Nevada County, however, is seeing an increase in the number 
patients admitted into the emergency room with drug overdoses, Gillaspie said.

The Path Of Abuse

Gillaspie said there are many theories as to why heroin and OxyContin 
use is becoming more prevalent in Nevada County. Heroin and OxyContin 
are derived through the processing of opium, which comes from poppy 
flowers. An increase in the number of poppy fields in the Middle 
East, including war-torn Afghanistan, has led to more heroin being 
manufactured and shipped to the United States, he said.

The cost of heroin isn't less expensive compared to other illegal 
street drugs. OxyContin, on the other hand, is a legal prescription 
painkiller some people misuse, Gillaspie said.
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