Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jun 2014
Source: Ann Arbor Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2014 Journal Register Company
Contact: http://www.heritagenews.com/lettertoeditor/
Website: http://heritage.com/ann_arbor_journal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5167
Author: Harv Grotrian

WASHTENAW COUNTY IS IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF A HEROIN EPIDEMIC

It is a silent killer. Welcoming young and old, rich and poor, 
married and single, heroin entices because it promises to reduce 
anxiety, bring comfort to the afflicted, and sooth the soul. But it 
can also end one's life.

And even if it doesn't, heroin is extremely addictive.

In 2013 heroin took the lives of 31 Washtenaw County residents. This 
was 13 more than the death count for 2012.

Given the death rate pace for the first three months of 2014. The 
number of deaths for this year could eclipse the prior year. 
Typically the monthly death count rises in November and December; in 
fact, it doubles.

Based upon population, Washtenaw's 2013 death count registered one 
death for every 11,320 residents. While some Michigan counties had 
higher death counts than Washtenaw, these counties are far more 
populated. For example, Macomb County with a population of 847,383 
(versus Washtenaw's population of 350,946) experienced a loss of 67 
residents in 2013. This count resulted in a per-capita loss of one 
heroin death for every 12,647 residents.

The central issues are supply and demand. The supply of heroin into 
Washtenaw County may be slowed but will never be stopped.

The reality is that drug dealers will continue to come into the 
county in waves as they have elsewhere. The demand, however, can be 
influenced through education and community support.

A small but significant first step has been taken by Brian Marl, the 
mayor of Saline. After losing three residents to heroin overdosing in 
2013, he formed a task force (the Substance Abuse Task Force of the 
City of Saline). The first Task Force meeting was held on Feb. 24.

Subsequent meetings have sharpened the focus of the Task Force and 
three committees - largely made up of volunteer members -- have been 
formed with set charges. Community financial support and an outside 
grant have combined to provide $10,600.

This financial support will enable the community to launch aggressive 
measures to educate and inform members of the community regarding the 
dangers of drug use, especially the life-threatening risk of heroin use.

Finally, and most importantly, in 2013 Washtenaw County accounted for 
3.55 percent of Michigan's population while accounting for 8.51 
percent of Michigan's heroin deaths. Sadly, the probability is high 
that Washtenaw County's heroin death count for 2014 will top the 
death count for any previous year.

Harv Grotrian Ann Arbor
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom