Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2009
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2009 The Charlotte Observer
Contact: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/newsroom/index.html?action=letters
Website: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Pat McCrory

LEARN THE SIGNS, AND HELP CHARLOTTE COMBAT RISING HEROIN USE

 From Pat McCrory, mayor of Charlotte:

Fourteen years ago when I first became mayor, Charlotte, like many
large cities, was in the midst of a drug war stemming from the demand
for crack cocaine and heroin. As a result of this drug trade and
usage, Charlotte was plagued with a high crime rate, namely murders.
Our murder total reached a high in 1993 at 129 murders. By 2004, with
more police officers and more community-oriented resources,
Charlotte's murder total reached a modern low of 60, even with a
rising population.

Despite this progress, I want to inform our citizens about the rise in
heroin use. While I, and many others, had considered heroin to be a
drug of the past, it has now returned to the streets and homes
throughout Charlotte - North, South, East, and West.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has been aggressive in
fighting this trend, but in one year's time, we have already seen some
heroin statistics rise by more than 300 percent.

Some disturbing statistics include:

In 2008, 1,075 grams of heroin were seized by police.

So far in 2009, that number has risen to 4,989 grams.

In 2008, $2,069 was seized from heroin busts.

So far in 2009, that number has risen to $46,079.

More disturbing, is that:

In 2008, there were eight heroin overdoses in Charlotte and three
heroin-related deaths.

In 2009, with two more months to go, there have been 33 heroin
overdoses in Charlotte and 10 heroin-related deaths.

Interestingly, the potency of heroin has not been the sole cause of
overdose or death, but the overdoses are the result of mixing heroin
with alcohol, cocaine, or prescription medications, such as Valium or
Ambien.

A key point is that these deaths and overdoses occurred throughout the
city and are not confined just to one area.

Why are we seeing a rise in the use of heroin? The reasons are many,
and include:

The availability to teens has increased. The main age range of heroin
users is 17-25 years old.

Heroin is now a lower priced drug compared to other drugs, averaging
$10 per unit.

Mexico is the heroin source and the cartels are organized.

Charlotte has been here before with a bad drug issue and I don't want
to see us in that situation again. We have worked too hard to build a
beautiful city and establish a high quality of life and we simply
cannot let drug use or gangs set us back on the many positive efforts
we have made in reducing crime.

There are many issues in Charlotte that need our constant attention.
However, I am singling out the rise in heroin use because I believe we
can be proactive and stop this and other drug use before it consumes
us, as it did in the past. Drugs destroy families and neighborhoods
and even affect homeland security as each drug buy strengthens the
Mexican drug cartels.

This is the call for parents and neighbors to learn the signs of drug
use and gang involvement, know the resources available for drug
treatment and work with police and other officials to stop this rise
in heroin use. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake