The epidemic of heroin and opioid painkiller abuse was on display in a packed forum last night at Syracuse’s Civic Center. The event emphasized the incredible scope of the growing problem…but also some ways to attack it.
A crowd of more than 250 people came to a weekday evening meeting which showed the size and concern over the heroin problem. It’s pointed out by at least one statistic: an 800% increase in heroin admissions at Crouse Hospital’s treatment facility.
(A list of treatment resources below)
The crowd at the meeting was silenced by the personal story of Deanna Axe…whose daughter was on medications for trauma but looked for something stronger.
“She started snorting hydros, then onto OxyContin and as the story goes with 80% of all heroin users, onto heroin. This went on for five horrible years. She cried and cried and cried saying she didn’t want to hurt herself, didn’t want to be sick, didn’t want to be addicted, didn’t want to hurt her family. She had no idea the journey heroin would take her on. “
Her Daughter Morgan was able to get off heroin through medications – one of which stopped the cravings. But when Morgan became pregnant she stopped all medications for the baby’s sake…and cravings came back.
“Post-acute withdrawal set in. That weak moment came, and now she’s gone. My life is shattered into a million pieces. Heroin has no mercy.”
Morgan died just this past November.
The size and spread of heroin in our community was the strongest message from the forum. Crime statistics, medical and treatment rates show a spike in use and overdoses. Law enforcement and E-M-S report they see cases in the suburbs, wealthy areas and rural communities…not just among urban poor – the stereotype for the heroin user. Assistant District Attorney Michael Ferrante says many are coming off of opiate prescription painkillers.
“If you run out of your prescription or your supply dries up, now you go on the street and try to buy the opiate pills, they’re $20- to $40-a-piece. You can get a bag of heroin anywhere from $5- to $10-dollars.”
Use, abuse, overdoses and trafficking are on the rise…But part of last night’s forum was about treatment and prevention. Crouse Hospital has several types of programs. Doctor Hector Biaggi treats addiction as a disease.
“Opiate Addiction is a medical problem. It can be treated effectively with medications. It is very similar to asthma, hypertension and diabetes. Sometimes people think if you are addicted to medications, all it takes for you to stop is go through withdrawal symptoms, and that will be it. That’s the wrong thinking.”
And he points out people in medical treatment for heroin and opioid abuse actually have higher compliance taking medication than some other conditions.
Syracuse Behavioral Health Director Jerry Klemanski has designed both inpatient and community programs for continued care. He gave the example of an addict just coming out of prison.
“They may not finish school; they may not have ever had a job and they need a safe place to live that is supportive of their recovery, where treatment is available, where they can rebuild those skills and supports. So that’s a big type of thing that happens in a supportive living program.”
LOCAL TREATMENT FACILITIES
- Belvedere Addiction Center
- Bright Path Counseling Center
- Central New York Services
- Conifer Park
- Crouse Hospital Chemical Dependency Treatment Services
- Forensic Consultants (315) 472-1212
- Professional Counseling Services
- Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare
- Syracuse Community Health Center
- Syracuse Recovery Services
- Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Treatment Center
- Upstate Medical University
- Veteran's Administration Medical Center
LOCAL TREATMENT RESOURCE LOCATORS
- Opioid Treatment Locator (SAMHSA)
- Buprenorphine Treatment Locator (SAMSHA)
- Vivitrol Treatment: This is approved medication and does not require special certification, but it should be only given when counseling support services are established and will continue with the medication.
- Onondaga County Mental Health Resource Directory
- Onondaga County Prevention and Treatment Provider (OASAS)
- New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Hotline
- Governor Cuomo's Combat Heroin Toolkit
So the forum offered at least some solutions. But obstacles include the obvious: trying to get the addict into some treatment. Also getting insurance to cover treatments and the community paying for interventions, such as the cost of the Vivitrol Medication for ex-inmates outlined earlier this week by Sheriff Gene Conway, which has an ongoing counseling component. The meeting certainly served to expand the conversation around Heroin in our community.
