Drug Addict Numbers Increase
By MARK LAWHeroin and opiate addictions are increasing in Jefferson County.
Older adults are addicted to heroin, while younger adults are addicted to painkillers that contain opiates, such as OxyContin, said Don Ogden, Trinity Health System director of behavioral medicine.
Ogden and Denise Smith, Care Network drug and alcohol administrator, said there has been a significant increase in the past five years in the number of adults in their 20s who are addicted to pain killers containing opiates.
Opiates are separated into two categories - heroin and prescription pain killers.
Ogden noted white adults make up the majority of people seeking treatment, noting many young people start out abusing pain killers and then move on to heroin.
Smith said heroin is cheaper, and Ogden added most heroin users snort the narcotic as opposed to using a needle, but males are more likely to inject heroin.
Ogden said Trinity Health System behavioral medicine has seen a 34 percent increase in people seeking in-patient treatment for opioid abuse for the fiscal years 2008-09. Smith said about 20 percent of those receiving treatment through the Care Network are addicted to opiates. The Care Network is operated by Jefferson Behavioral Health.
"We are seeing young adults coming in (with an addiction to opiates) who have a lot of resources. They aren't jobless or homeless," Ogden noted.
Smith and Ogden said treatment is available in the community but it has to be the addict asking for help.
"We get a lot of calls all the time from friends and family who want to get help for a friend or family member. It isn't the person who is addicted calling," Ogden said.
Smith added family support is important once a person gets into treatment.
Funding cuts at the state level resulted in the February closing of the Jefferson Behavioral Health System New Alexandria in-patient treatment program.
Officials said the county has operated an in-patient addiction facility for 33 years, with the New Alexandria center being open for about the past 20 years.
Smith said the Care Network has had to streamline treatment and was forced to end specialty programs, such as the women's program.
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walksabout
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09-14-09 11:26 PM
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however. crackheads should be required to turnover all material posessions to the state prior to the public paying for any type treatment.
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NancyB
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09-14-09 11:53 AM
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