Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2016
Source: Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Copyright: 2016 Morning Journal
Contact:  http://www.morningjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3569
Author: Kelsey Leyva

DEALING WITH HEROIN

Detective Discusses Epidemic During Senior Coffee Hour

Waging a war on drugs in Lorain County hasn't been an easy task and 
there's still plenty of work to be done, according to Detective Gregg 
Mehling with the Lorain County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force.

Mehling visited the Lorain Public Library System's Columbia Branch, 
13824 W. River Road North in Columbia Station, on May 9 for the 
monthly Senior Coffee Hour to talk about the growing heroin problem 
in the county and what he considers to be a tremendous health emergency.

Lorain County, which has seen roughly 60 overdose deaths each year 
since 2012, is on pace to see 100 overdose deaths or more a year, he said.

Mehling also discussed in great detail, Narcan, a medicine that can 
counter the effects of overdoses from heroin, prescription 
painkillers and other opioid drugs in a matter of seconds.

"It truly is a wonder drug," he said. "It doesn't bring you back from 
the dead, but it can bring you back from pretty close to dead."

Narcan was added as a tool for county law enforcers in October 2013, 
but Mehling said the county has yet to see a drop in the number of 
overdose deaths.

Part of the reason for that are the new chemicals being added to 
heroin, such as fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent than heroin, 
according to Emmanuel de Leon, director of the Lorain County Crime/ 
Drug Lab, previously told the Morning Journal.

Mehling said the addition of the new chemicals is a "business 
decision" in the "black market sub-economy," which is a deadly way to 
increase sales and profit for drug dealers.

"They're selling poison and they should be held accountable," he said.

Although many describe heroin or pill use as "getting high," Mehling 
said it in fact does the exact opposite, slowing your heart and 
respiratory system. He said since police officers were equipped with 
Narcan, around 150 lives in Lorain County have been saved.

"We're very proud of that," Mehling said. "That first year, we 
administered Narcan over 60 times with about 98 percent success rate. 
The most important issue with Narcan is time."

With time being a key factor in saving an overdosing person's life, 
Mehling said police officers can administer the life-saving drug 
through the nose, which is just as effective as injecting Narcan into a vein.

At 2 a.m. when it's dark and the patient is turning blue, every 
second counts, he said.

Mehling said it can take anywhere from one to six or more doses of 
Narcan to save a person's life depending on how much heroin they used 
and what their metabolism is like.

But a person who is saved with Narcan isn't exactly in the clear, 
Mehling said, adding that Lorain County Coroner Dr. Stephen Evans has 
said it is possible to relapse if the patient doesn't go to a 
hospital for immediate attention.

"It may buy you 15 minutes," Mehling said. "It's like a heart attack 
or major cut where blood is pouring out of your body. The sooner you 
can get to competent medical care, the better."

Narcan now is available over-the-counter for around $60, but Mehling 
said it is not a substitute to experienced medical care.

Mehling reminded the audience that heroin doesn't discriminate and is 
present in every community, whether its residents acknowledge it or not.

"If you don't think there's a problem in your community, you've been 
living under a rock," he said.

"We're doing everything we can and it's still not enough."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom