Pubdate: Sat, 05 Apr 2014
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2014 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspaper
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Nomaan Merchant, Associated Press

HEROIN USE, OVERDOSE DEATHS ON RISE IN TEXAS

DALLAS (AP) - Some states, including Texas, are reporting a rise in
heroin use as many addicts shift from more costly and harder-to-get
prescription opiates to this cheaper alternative. A look at what's
happening in Texas:

THE PROBLEM:

Heroin overdose deaths have more than tripled in Texas during the last
15 years.

Drug smugglers use Texas' 1,200-mile border with Mexico to transport
heroin that ends up in cities and rural towns all over the state.

While use of so-called "cheese heroin" - a mix of heroin and
over-the-counter pills such as Tylenol PM - that was popular in the
last decade has faded, cities across Texas are seeing higher uses of
Mexican "black tar" heroin. It's a gummy substance that users dilute
and inject, but can also smoke or snort.

Dr. Jane Maxwell, a drug abuse researcher at the University of Texas,
also says more young people are dying from heroin overdoses. "What
worries me is that the traditional treatments that we often use really
aren't as appropriate for younger adults," Maxwell said.

THE NUMBERS:

Total heroin deaths in Texas rose from 111 in 1999 to 371 in 2012, the
latest year available in data collected by the Texas Department of
State Health Services. The number of deaths has nearly quadrupled
among whites and Latinos and has risen among all age groups.

The amount of heroin seized along the southwest border area more than
doubled between 2004 and 2010, according to the National Drug
Intelligence Center's 2011 report.

SOLUTIONS:

Maxwell says state authorities and drug clinics need to do more for
younger heroin addicts, including using different drugs to treat
heroin addiction.
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