Jun 16, 2009 5:53 pm US/Central
Heroin, Prescription Drug Abuse Up In Twin Cities
(WCCO)
Local health officials are concerned about a big increase in heroin and prescription drug abuse in the Twin Cities. The increase comes at a time when cocaine and methamphetamine is going down, according to Carol Falkowski who has been tracking drug trends for more than 30 years.
Falkowski is the Director of Minnesota Department of Human Services Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and the author of a recently released report on the drug trends.
"Anyone who thinks that we are Sleepy Hollow and we don't have hard core drugs here, these data clearly refutes that," said Falkowski.
Hospital emergency rooms, morgues and treatment center have seen a big increase in heroin cases. Falkowski said heroin is has a very high purity in Minneapolis and is low-cost.
"Not only is heroin addicting but it can kill you. Just the first-time users can overdose and die," said Falkowski.
In 2008, 115 people died from opiate-related causes, according to the report.
About half of the prescription pain-killer abuse involves older women, according to Falkowski.
So far, she says local crime trends don't reflect the increase drug abuse patterns. However, she predicts that will change if the increased addictions go untreated.
"Because people have to commit crimes in order to support their drug addiction," said Falkowski.
To read the report authored by Falkowski click on the link below.
Drug Abuse Trends, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
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