Pubdate: Sun, 19 Jul 2009
Source: Hickory Daily Record (NC)
Copyright: 2009 Hickory Daily Record
Contact:  http://www.hickoryrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1109

HEROIN MUST NOT BECOME EPIDEMIC

Illegal drugs of choice materialize almost as if by trend in our
society. Methamphetamine will be the subject one week, crack cocaine
the next. But one of the most serious of the ilk is again rearing its
head.

Highly addictive heroin is back on our streets. Heroin is a serious
problem. It can cause more problems than other drugs, such as
marijuana. It is a matter for all to consider with the recent arrests
here and in Caldwell County of heroin dealers. The effects of heroin
on our community should not be taken lightly.

Those who experiment with narcotics are putting their life and health
at risk. Users risk exposing themselves to addiction, lingering health
problems, criminal arrest, job loss and death.

Heroin can cause a rush that is longer-lasting than cocaine. It can be
more difficult stop using once addicted and withdrawal often causes
severe pain. Heroin also drives users in their attempt to replenish
their supply. And because it is typically injected, needles can cause
scarred or collapsed veins, bacterial infections, abscesses and other
infections, liver or kidney disease and lung complications.

Knowing all this we have but one question: Is the risk really worth
the rush?

To some folks, heroin is associated with the big city. Hickory is
hardly a metropolis. Heroin is just about everywhere.

Thankfully, the work here to rid our streets of heroin has already
begun with the formation of a drug task force composed of multiple law
enforcement agencies. We wish them luck in their efforts.

"Anyone caught dealing this poison in our county will not like the
consequences," Caldwell County Sheriff Alan C. Jones told the Record
this week after charging two men with trafficking heroin. This is the
kind of attitude law enforcement must take when dealing with heroin.

Getting heroin dealers off the streets must be a serious priority for
area law enforcement. The message needs to be clear "" heroin
dealers will be caught and punished.

It appears to us that area law enforcement is focusing on arresting
heroin dealers and keeping them off the streets to stem the tide of
drugs coming into our community. The hope is that users will seek
rehabilitation and stop using the drug if it is no longer available.

It is time to put our efforts toward addressing the growing heroin
problem here before it becomes an epidemic that will damage or kill
our family members, friends and children. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake