The threat that is posed by heroin in the U.S. is very serious and has increased considerably since 2007.Heroin is more readily available in larger quantities, used by increasing numbers of people, and is subsequently causing an increasing number of overdose deaths.
In 2014 alone, 10,574 American citizens died from heroin-related overdoses. This is more than three times the number in 2010.
The increased demand for, and use of, dope is being elevated by both the increasing availability of heroin in the U.S. and by many controlled prescription drug (CPD) abusers substituting heroin.
The main reason that CPD abusers begin using heroin do is because of the big differences in price.
Heroin overdose deaths are increasing in many cities and counties across the United States,
particularly in the Northeast area which happens to be where I currently reside.
I live in a small town in upstate New York and I also have a young boy who recently turned 11. While I haven’t seen heroin use personally in my town, I have heard it through the grapevine that it is definitely here and it scares the hell out of me.
Heroin use is no longer concentrated in the cities. It has moved to suburbia and rural areas as well.
Some of the reasons for these increases in O.Ds
- An overall increase in heroin users
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High strength batches of dope sold in certain markets, causing users to accidentally OD.
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A huge increase in new heroin users. A lot of them are young and inexperienced.
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Many abusers of prescription opioids start using of heroin because it’s cheaper.
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Dealers are cutting it with substances like fentanyl in different parts of the country.
According to this year’s DEA Intelligence Report,
Nine of the 21 domestic Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Field Divisions, ranked heroin
as their number one drug threat in 2015.
Another nine field divisions ranked heroin as the second greatest threat to
their areas. DEA heroin arrests more than doubled between 2007 and 2014.
Furthermore, in 2014 heroin arrests exceeded weed trafficking arrests for the first time in history.
Where is it coming from?
- There has been a significant increased role in the number of Mexican traffickers.
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More heroin is entering the U.S. through our Southwest Border. As a result, our western states’ roles as heroin transit have become increasingly significant.
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Heroin is being moved into areas in much larger volumes. There has been a large increase in the number of shipments from Mexico of black tar heroin that have been seized in the Northeastern markets. You normally don’t see that up here.
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Lastly, a few of the Mexican drug trafficking organizations are simply moving their business into the suburban and rural areas, because they think it will be easier to get away with it than in the cities.
Another theory
- In 2001, the U.S invaded Afghanistan following 9/11. We are still there by the way.
- Afghanistan is responsible for over 90% of the world’s opium production.
- Product on of this opium has been on a steady rise since the deployment of U.S. troops in 2001.
- Based on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime data, the opium production has increased in each growing season in the periods between 2004 and 2007, than in any one year during Afghanistan’s Taliban rule.
What kind of correlation is there between the “War on Drugs” and the “War on Terror?”
It is this author’s belief that the main reason that our country has seen such a massive and devastating rise in the use of heroin is because we are in Afghanistan.
Yes, we as a country should be able to “just say no.” However, we are human and humans have always been self-destructive.
In my opinion, neither of these wars will ever be won and that’s exactly what our “leaders” want. I’m interested to see what the readers think, so please don’t hesitate to comment. Peace.