Illicit heroin is used as freebase form and has the consistency of white powder and besides boiling and injecting it, it is smokable. In 2004 Afghanistan was producing 87% of the world's heroin supply. However the production rate in Mexico has risen from 2007-2011 and now Mexico is the second largest producer in the world. Mexican cartels are also producing another type of heroin called "black tar". A small bag will only costs the first time user dollars compared to other recreational drugs and in fact, addict the user quickly and as the costs go up the user becomes desperate to find more. Dependance on this drug can lead to death from overdose which can happen in minutes or hours because of anoxia which is a result of suppressed breathing reflex. Many fatalities occur because of other drug interactions like depressant drugs or alcohol and heroin can also cause nausea and vomiting which causes aspiration while the user is unconscious.
The so called underworld of illicit drugs was put front and center recently when the Governor of Vermont Peter Shumlin spoke of the challenge and obligation his state is facing. On January 8, 2014 he addressed his growing concern about the drug crisis effecting his state. "The rising tide of drug addiction and drug-related crime spreading across Vermont." He stated some facts facing their state have shown that what started as a prescription drug addiction has now "blown into a full-blown heroin crisis". A recent film by Bess O'Brien called "The Hundry Heart" brings to the fore-front the community of Vermont's struggle to save its children from the growing epidemic.
Heroin is a drug that does not effect only those who are born into poverty, it destroys lives at every level of financial means. Most families are ripped apart by the terrible pain and shock of finding out their loved ones have such a serious drug problem. My own parents recently attended a funeral for a 23 year old boy from the North Shore who died of a heroin overdose. He came from a wealthy family who used every means to get him on the road to recovery. Sadly, he lost his battle and now they have to try and heal from the pain and loss of their son.
I don't know what the right answers or how we can fight this as a country, but something needs to be done. The drug cartels are making huge money off of innocent lives knowing full well the addictive nature of the drug. Hopefully the message of Governor Shumlin will be heard across our country. I think the movie "Hungry Heart" should be seen at high schools across the country. The message should start with kids because the heroin addicts life is frightening. Schools should have a greater role in recognizing risky behavior and family dysfunction so the first temptation at Heroin never happens.
"Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol, morphine or idealism"
- Carl Jung
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