After five years of sharply climbing death rates due to heroin overdoses, the number actually dropped by 8 percent last year. "I am optimistic that we have set a new trend," says Jim McDonough, director of the Florida Office of Drug Control. He attributes the decrease in fatal heroin overdoses to an increased emphasis on law enforcement, treatment and prevention. "We mounted an effort to see how much heroin and other drugs was flowing into Florida, who the traffickers were and how it was landing here," he says. "It took seven months, and we came up with a better picture, which allowed us to put more agents where we thought they would be most effective. [continues 221 words]
State Spurns Requests For Methadone Funding, Despite Epidemic Of Heroin Deaths. ORLANDO -- Lin Lindsay greets about 20 heroin addicts outside her office building just after dawn. They've come to the Center for Drug-Free Living, where Lindsay is director of medical services, for methadone. Methadone is a viscous red liquid that looks and tastes like cherry cough syrup -- and suppresses an addict's craving for heroin. With methadone, the center's 125 heroin-addicted clients hold jobs and maintain families. Some are in the entertainment industry. One is a pilot for a major airline. Some have been in the program for as long as 18 years. [continues 1615 words]
