Last updated : December 16, 2024
Heroin addiction is a problem that is on the rise across the United States. While the number of heroin-related deaths has increased throughout the entire country, Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs have been particularly troubled by sharp increases in the prevalence of heroin addiction and deaths related to overdose.
Facts About Heroin Addiction
Heroin is an opiate that is made from morphine, a substance that is sourced from poppy plants. People who are addicted to heroin may introduce the drug into the body by either snorting, injecting or smoking the drug.
Addiction is the most serious side effect of heroin use, but there are other adverse effects of using the opiate.
- Respiratory problems
- Blood clots that are potentially fatal
- Infections in the heart
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Contracting hepatitis or HIV from sharing needles
It is estimated that one out of every four people who try heroin will become addicted.
Not Just a City Problem
Suburbanites may want to believe that they are immune to the drug problems associated with city dwelling, but heroin addiction has been on the rise in Cleveland suburbs. Teens and young adults are more likely to fall prey to the addiction, and starting with pain pills as a gateway to heroin is often a matter of cost.
Prescription pain medications including Vicodin and Percocet may be readily available to a person after surgery, but the cost of these pain pills skyrockets after the valid prescription expires. Addiction lingers on, and people who are addicted to pills may find themselves rummaging through medicine cabinets while visiting friends and family members. The cost of these pills is higher than heroin, and addicts find that they can achieve the same feeling cheaper by moving on to heroin.
“Now we are seeing cases of the average person finding themselves addicted,” said Parma Detective Robert Kalal, referring to the prevalence of heroin addiction among average, working individuals living in the suburbs.
As the prevalence of heroin addiction in Cleveland and the surrounding suburbs has risen, the instances of death from overdose have also climbed. Cuyahoga County has seen the number of heroin-related deaths jump from 107 in 2011 to 161 in 2012.
Biggest Heroin Bust in Cleveland
The increase in heroin use is apparent after the biggest heroin bust in the area surrounding Cleveland occurred in September. There were 92 people charged with 203 counts including drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal possession of a firearm. The violent tendencies of the group and their penchant for stealing from other dealers in Northeast Ohio indicates the far-reaching impact of heroin use and addiction.
Saving Lives
The rise in heroin use in Cleveland has prompted law enforcement officials to find a way to help people who have overdosed on the drug. A drug known as Narcan can be used when someone is found unconscious due to a heroin overdose. Narcan is able to reverse the effects of heroin and may be able to save lives.
Lorain County Coroner Dr. Steven Evans said that the county has been chosen for a pilot program in Ohio because of the high rate of heroin-related deaths in the area. One major benefit of Narcan is that it does not cause harm if a person accidentally takes the drug when it is not needed.
Training is being provided to emergency responders who are likely to encounter victims of overdose. These individuals will have access to Narcan in order to administer it to those who need it.
Heroin addiction is a serious problem throughout the United States, and Cleveland has seen a particularly sharp rise in the instance of addiction and overdose. Law enforcement officials are aware of the prevalence of addiction in areas that may not have experienced the impact of drug use in the past, and Narcan is now being used to help save the lives of those who overdose.
