Nationwide Overdose Epidemic from Fentanyl-Laced Heroin
When word got out in Camden, New Jersey, about a wild new twist on the local heroin supply, users flocked to get a taste of the action. What they went looking for was a high that claimed to be as good – or better – than that fateful first time that got them hooked. What they found, however, was a cocktail so lethal that many users were found dead before they could even finish shooting up.
Have you guys heard about this?
Drug Abuse Problem Spreads like Wildfire
Fentanyl is an opioid pain killer used in the medical field as an anesthesia in the operating room, or for intense chronic pain (such as from radiation treatment) that doesn’t respond to morphine. Mixed with heroin, which is also derived from opium, Fentanyl creates the potential for immediate respiratory failure.
Public service announcements were aired on local television, but only served as an advertisement to addicts who rushed to their dealers right away. The problem became so severe that emergency rooms were swamped, and paramedics ran low on naloxone, the drug used to counteract an overdose and restore a victim’s breathing. Uniformed police officers were posted on known drug corners as a deterrent to send buyers away. Substance abuse centers put out a special call to help addicts steer clear of the dangerous new designer drug invading the neighborhood.
Denial Is a Dope Fiend’s Best Friend
There’s an inherent aspect of denial that is so committed to a drug users’ lifestyle, even death isn’t blamed on the drug. No one wants to admit that the drug that makes you feel perfect and untouchable can euthanize you in an instant. “The perspective (on the deaths) was more like, ‘He didn’t know what he’s been doing’ or ‘He’s been getting high too long,’” recalls Norwood Allen, alcohol and drug director for Camden County’s Division of Community Health Services.
What’s worse, many users who were witness to an overdose failed to call 911 or report the death out of fear of being arrested for their involvement, which didn’t help law enforcement or officials at the Center for Disease Control who were working to track down the suppliers and manufacturers. A sticky situation, for sure.
So, any of you out in Jersey? Have you heard about this? What’s really happening? Anywhere else in the country where Fentanyl-laced heroin is causing problems?
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August 25th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I’ve been clean for just a year the 22nd. I wa hooked on oxy’s and came to the realization that my $300/day habit was too much, and checked into a rehab. I am born and raised from the streets of Philly. I was more than happy to get the hell out of Frankford oh some 20 years ago I began living 1000 ft from Camden’s Rt 130 near Browning Road in 1994. I’ve moved quite a few times since then, but have wound back up in South Jersey again. While I was at my bottom, I heard several stories of this great shit, the only issue was that you had to boot it. Being a with from needles, I did not try this cocktail. The stories are true. I may have moved onward with my life, but I have vivid memories of my using days and what was out there. The tri-state area (PA,NJ,DE)had this issue at it’s most last year. After the deaths most stayed away from it, but I know of persons that loved the stuff. I guess some bodies metabolize differently. All I can say is that this is not a new thing. Thankfully, I didnt get caught in the riptide of the deadly cocktail.
Dave
August 27th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Sounds like your needle phobia saved you in this instance. And you’re right: sometimes what the newspapers sensationalize as a deadly cocktail, others go searching for as the next great high. Too often, it ends badly. I’m thankful that you managed to escape it.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Fentanyl-Laced Heroin sounds like Detroit Heroin. That’s what is sold there as Herion, very potent. You can tell what it is by the medicine smell. The Methadone clinic I was going to in Toledo Ohio, 50 miles from Detroit will instantly throw you out if they find Fentanyl in your system.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I have been following your blog since I started taking Suboxone and wanted everyone it saved my life. Been fighting addiction for 30 years, I’m 47 now, kinda late but atleast Im clean and sober.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
i live in butler pa, known as the heroin capitol of the US. our problem is actually worse here then in the city of pittsburgh. my uncle had always(since the age of 15) had a major drug habit. we’re from california. so my family went out east to bring him back and try to save his life. within two years he was dead in my grandmothers kitchen of an apparent overdose, he didn’t get high but he died trying. the doctors said he was dead as soon as the needle touched his arm. there were quite a lot of overdoses that summer and it was because herion was laced with fetanyl. i swear to everyone i would never do herion even the it’s cheaper and easier to get here then even thc. now however i find myself addicted to fetanyl… i’m trying to get clean but i find it difficul..
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Ill be 22 in november. ive been on roxy30s and oxy80s for about 2 years. started from my dr, i still have my herniated n bulging discs…n only got pills out of it. i recently just detoxed in eagleville pa, im in norristown, went in oct8th got out oct13th & actually took a saboxon the monday i left from a guy who was in there. i felt like a whole new person i was so happy. then tuesday afternoon it hit me like a fuckin wall. the whole withdraw flu symptoms, only thing i didnt get bad was nausea n diarhea, but i did my worst withdraw in detox. i know my back hurts n will til its fixed, but its oct23rd now, n my symptoms r very small. i have a lot of back pain n leg pain. but rarely get sweats, sometimes chills now, but at night my ankles n feet ache n hurt SOOO BAD, n its not like the jittery cant stop moving ur legs withdraw type. to me it feels like really bad achey arthritus. n i dunno what arthritus feels like im 22… i was just wonderin, how long it will take my brain n body to fully recover to the way i was before taking the shit. i was taking about 6-10 roxy30mgs a day, or 2-4 oxy80s a day. sometimes would mix both. but for about 2 years straight. if anyone has an idea of how long the process will take, id really appreciate imput. my hands shake even worse then when i was on em.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Steve,
Hang in there. I was at Valley Forge…just down the road from Eville. Get with a Psychiatric Specialist. I think they are listed as …wait, lemme get my appt. card…..”Addiction Medicine, Psychiatry”. Theres one in Germantown ave that is expensive, but he will will get you straightened out medicinally and psychologically. Again, they ARE expensive, but I’ve been on Suboxone for a year noy, and rarely feel the “Chronic bolts of pain” down my legs…its downgraded to an annoyance. I’ve had multiple surgeries, and had a neurostimulater intalled AND REMOVED. Do yourself a favor and look up this guy in Norristown. I suffered like you…dont waste your life in pain like I did.
Let me know if you need any help.
Dave
October 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Hang in there hun ,I am from the south and it is just as bad here I am 39 and I have had 3 spinal surgeries for ruptured dics that alone doesn’t help the pain in your legs from your withdraws .My first surgeries didn’t work but My surgeon thinks we have it this time but surgeries are never a true fix sometimes they make things worse .So my advise to you is to get clean before you ever try the surgeries and make sure you are really really strong also or you will go right back where you were !