Heroin Use and Overdose in Massachusetts - Article Example

Heroin Use and Overdose in Massachusetts RT (March 28, . “Massachusetts declares public health emergency over heroin overdoses and opioids addiction.” The article depicts an honest picture about just how bad the problem with heroin is in Massachusetts. The article discusses the various strategies being implemented as a way of doing away with the problem in the society and raising awareness among members of the community on just how serious the situation is. It is expected that people are less likely to indulge in the habit when they are fully aware of the danger it poses to their lives and if more people are made aware they will likely spread the news to others and hence reduce the prevalence of the addiction and lives lost in the society. Declaring the problem a nationwide crisis is beneficial in showing just how serious the matter is and will hopefully impact on the level of awareness that will hopefully be created. The high number of deaths related to heroin overdose, whether intentional or not, have prompted the government to take preventive measures. WCBV (April 5, 2014). “Massachusetts: 4 months and 185 heroin deaths: Gov. Patrick declared public health emergency.” The article is a review on some of the main reasons as to they awhy there is a sudden rise in heroine use and addiction, while taking note of the high number of deaths that have been caused as a result. The author clearly states the problem and notes the statistics in relation to heroin and other opiods in Massachusetts. In addition, the other also mentions the various solutions that the government has tried to implement in order to cub this problem and do away with it. Declaring public health emergency goes further to show the severity of the situation and how just how serious it needs to be tacked before it gets out of hand. People fail to realize just how precious life is hence why they often take it for granted and indulge in harmful behaviors. It has proven very strenuous for Massachusetts’ heroin addicts to overcome their addictions without assistance. This can be attributed to the sociological, psychological and physical addiction that revolve around the causal environment. Moreover, the physical entry of addiction on heroin is known as the toughest to surrender. The withdrawal period poses a lot of challenges and this could be the same reason Massachusetts residents must be congratulated for assisting addicts to get past the withdrawal symptoms. Heroin detox and treatment programs in Massachusetts are key to solving this bottleneck. It is also imperative to understand where this heroin that finds its way to Massachusetts come from, treatment cannot be ignored as it plays the main role in solving this issue. It has turned Massachusetts case to be termed as a state problem that must be treated with a matter of urgency. a number of individuals have come to understand the importance of seeking treatment attention. A great deal of heroin in Massachusetts has its roots in New York. For a single yeah, Massachusetts saw well more than 38000 individuals seeking assistance, which is commendable. This is just but a representation of half of the entire treatment admissions in Massachusetts although it included a number of alcoholics too. From this perspective I conquer that acceptance is the lead factor in tackling this challenge. However, there are those struggling without help on their addiction. May be the most appropriate way would be to influence their peers to lure them into treatment by creating a bond that will eventually see to this success. After introduction and publicizing of Massachusetts emergency rooms the number of heroin cases rose to a factor of four in contrast to the rest of the country. Take northern Boston’s Charlestown for instance, a small village, overdose cases were extremely severe that the surrounding community joined hands to expel dealers from their environs and raise funds so as to handle these addicts. Charlestown could have as many as 40 overdose cases between the years 2003 and 2006 from which 13 individuals lost their lives. It must be noted that similar to other parts of the nation, people have long been abusing prescription drugs of which Massachusetts is not an exception. Among these prescription drugs are opioids, opium derivatives or synthetic forms that has similar highs compared to that of heroin; Vicodin, Percocet, OxyContin, Lortab, codeine, methadone, and morphine among others. During the days when money is tight, it has been observed that some of the addicts of these drugs eventually turn to heroin as a more readily available and cheaper option. This is a threat that must also be observed. The drug pattern in Massachusetts has long been established. As mentioned above, New York is among the key distribution center from where Massachusetts acquires too. There are a number of dreaded drug trafficking cartels. Most of Massachusetts’ cities with ethnic populations have turned to be focal points for heroin distribution; Lawrence, Roxbury, Lowell, Springfield, Fall River and Lynn. Most of the peddlers are or motorcycle gangs protection who use intimidation or violence to expand or maintain their business territories that result to increased crime rates within their operation quarters. Transport channels are also utilized to move drugs into the state. Most enterprising dealers are capable of bypassing the main smuggling routes and checkpoints, family members are also influenced to ship heroin with package delivery and postal service companies. From this issue, this implies that custom official must increase their vigilance and spot illicit heroin commingled within usual commercial cargo. Research has also revealed that Raleigh and Atlanta must not be ignored as main heroin distribution centers. Treatment from the addictions related to heroin is a frustrating process for the addicts. It all has to come from self drives. How then can this be reverse given the vigor to which the pushers are convinced to maintain their customer chains? Education centers in such as Narconon Drug Education in Massachusetts are played important roles in delivering effective and educational lectures to those affected by heroin or those susceptible to it exposure. Here the youths have a chance to learn of the perils of indulging themselves in risky behavior. These youths are also sentitized on why to avoid alcoholism as it is one of the focal points of receiving such addictive substances through which their bodies assimilate and continue yearning for leading to addiction. It also came to the attention of this research that a long streak of lack of heroin could also be reasons to overdoses and therefore the crucial fact would be to eliminate such repercussions by cubing the vice before it graduates to expensive levels. Effective rehab stations for residential and outpatient treatments are vital in this effect. Lack of these centers leave out those who would want to quit stranded with the only option at hand being to continue with the heroin intake. Only availing treatment centers in Massachusetts for those in dire need will initiate the process of saving vulnerable lives of the youths and reduce the chances of overdose-related deaths and their causal factors. Massachusetts’ governor should be hailed for his efforts to stop this trend. It is in my support that all first responders be well equipped to administer and carry Narcan or Naloxone, a drug which is sufficient to reverse the instances of heroin overdose. This drug must be readily availed in pharmacies to be accessed by concerned addicts and their families or friends. There ouht to be a ban on dispensing and prescribing of all drugs containing hydrocodone only to the time a determination is reached to safeguard against overdose, diversion or misuse. These are the same substances that make heroin intake even friendlier. Any controversial drug containing traces of heroin must be monitored for the same reasons. There is need for a mandate against the use of monitoring prescriptions by pharmacies and doctors which was a previously voluntary service. 185 deaths are alarming and this is the sole reason that the state is acting sternly to solve this health crisis from Berkshires to Cape Cod. Take Taunton for instance, since the beginning of the year, it has been hard hit recording scores overdoses and fatalities. This indicates the possible existence of potent heroin strains making its way into this region too where the vendor could be cutting on heroin and in turn mixing it with additives to raise personal profits and potency. Fentanyl is probably the killer substance contained in these supplements as reported by authorities. It is also a suspected possibility that these same heroin addicts who are facing overdoses may be mixing heroin with other drugs which makes matters trickier to handle proven combinations by the abusers. All drugs must be controlled both by the general public and the law enforcers. These actions should take Massachusetts a long way in slowing the rise of such life-threatening addictions. This is a simple way to acquire awareness in the entire Massachusetts’ community. Discriminating the addicts will further soar the situation and the simplest way would be to assist them in all ways possible as they take the bridge to recovery from heroin abuse. Special committees must also be set up to address the matter and must frequently report to the necessary authorities on weekly basis concerning their progress. Fire fighters must also be involved in this task where they ought to be equipped with Narcan, earlier discussed to reverse heroin overdose, so that they may save the patient before paramedics can be called in to treat the subjects of opiates overdoses. Drug addicts turn to be dependants rather than productive and therefore straining the economy whereas they could be bringing income was they involved in productive businesses. The age of opioids users seems to be moving from young to younger which is also a risk to the reproduction and family stabilities. The clergy and other religious members also have an inescapable role to feature in this fight against heroin addiction and overdoses. The media cannot also be left out of this tide, they must produce documentaries that are cautionary of addiction. This means not for commercial purposes but also from funding by the state government. Most of what is feature on television sets and the websites are some of the inviting factors that lead teenagers to accepting drugs. We as the larger owners of humanity have an ethical role to mind what we post in the media outlets and especially in the social media pages. Condemn the addict in a friendly way and a suggestive way that discourages the use of heroin and directing them to help simultaneously. Since instant medical solutions are not available, the state of Massachusetts has the responsibility to involve expert from science, public health, law enforcement and medicine to comprehensively cab the heroin epidemic that is killing families and neighborhoods. The lower the heroin use, the lower the crime rate we can expect. Besides the available drug courts, 21, the public is the final solution. Follow-up activities must be emphasized for those undergoing treatment or those who are out on probation to ensure that they have lower chances of acquiring these drugs. Massachusetts’ inhabitants must also be involved in decision making and suggestion airing on other means to arrest the case. They are the ones suffering and therefore they might know best on how to go around this issue. All recommendations must be documented by the select committee for consideration. These concerns must not be taken lightly because this shows that Massachusetts’ public is a worried lot for the future of their children and nation at large. Prevention programs must also be embraced containing ads or pilot projects to educate the first responders to asses and tackle the overdose cases. In conclusion, poverty and unemployment must also be checked. More jobs must be created by the Massachusetts’ state else this problem will be here to stay. Working nation is owned by a happy people. Social activities such as soccer, rugby, indoor games among others must also be welcome to the people of Massachusetts to keep the young minds busy and during these encounters take the chance to sensitize them of the dangers lurking in heroin use and eventual addiction. Poverty results from unemployment, where there will be assurances of a salary at the end of the day, week, or month, then the subject is likely to adhere to the rules of the work premises and keep of drugs. Sociology experts will be required to collaborate with the state to control heroin addiction and overdoses. References Comeau, Z. (2014). Heroin Use on the Rise. Wicked Local. Retrieved From : http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20140223/News/140228580 MacQuarrie, B. (2014). Governor Declares Emergency on Opiate Abuse. The Boston Globe. Retrieved From: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/27/with-heroin-overdoses-rise-gov-patrick-declares-public-health-emergency-mass/hOajTIJNKnSHKAnWjZ6wYL/story.html Tietjen, D. (2014). The New Heroin User: White, Young, Suburabn. Boston.com. Retrieved From : http://www.boston.com/health/2014/06/03/the-new-heroin-user-white-young-suburban/QrGftEAw7DPl5TDiog1eaI/story.html Valdmanis, R. (2014). Massachusetts declares heroin emergency, looks to anti-overdose drug. Reuters Edition. Retrieved From: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-usa-heroin-massachusetts-idUSBREA2Q25D20140327 Norton, M. (2014). Opiate epidemic leads Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to declare public health emergency.Mass Live. Retrived From: http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/03/opiate_epidemic_leads_massachu.html Read More