Pubdate: Sat, 04 Aug 2012
Source: Herald and News (Klamath Falls, OR)
Copyright: 2012 Herald and News
Contact:  http://www.heraldandnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2600
Author: Miles Sari

HEROIN HASN'T TAKEN HOLD IN KLAMATH COUNTY, YET

The state of Oregon is seeing a spike in heroin use and overdoses, 
but Klamath County is seeing a decline. Local drug and alcohol 
counselors and Sheriff Tim Evinger say that heroin use has decreased 
in Klamath County, but methamphetamine abuse continues its resurgence.

According to a report published by the Oregon State Medical Examiner, 
there were no reported heroin-related deaths in Klamath County in 
2011, whereas 143 deaths were reported statewide, 53 more than in 2010.

"We are seeing a decrease in heroin use and possession," Evinger 
says. "We rarely see it during traffic stops. What we do see is an 
increase of high-grade methamphetamine."

Though I-5 and Highway 97 are major corridors for the trafficking of 
the drug, Evinger said distribution of heroin is at a low in the 
area, while methamphetamine possession arrests have peaked in the 
summer months.

Joseph Allred, a certified alcohol and drug counselor at BestCare 
Treatment Services, says the facility sees many cases of heroin 
addiction, but most addicts are coming from the Willamette Valley.

"We haven't seen any off-the-streets heroin addicts from Klamath 
Falls; it's not the mainstream drug here," Allred says. "What we do 
see are a lot of people with prescription pill and meth addictions."

Although heroin abuse and fatalities are rare for Klamath County, 
Allred foresees a potential transition to the drug within the decade. 
"Heroin is just not as appealing in the rural communities, but it 
could become a transitional drug for individuals who abuse 
prescription medications because it's cheaper," he says.

Allred said prescription pills like Vicodin and OxyContin can go for 
around $80 a pill on the black market.

"Heroin is a cheaper alternative to prescription medications. Someone 
can get a gram of heroin for the same price as one OxyContin," Allred 
says. "Most pill poppers are around the ages of 18 to 25 and once 
they use heroin, they may see it as more appeasing and will switch to 
it because it's cheaper."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom