Again with the Suburban Heroin
- In the midst of a recent rash of heroin overdoses, the Lake County Health Department has released a series of tips to those who persist in abusing opiates, including precautions to take if injecting the dangerous drug.
While first stressing the importance of treatment to address addiction, health department officials said the reality is that many are not ready to take that step. In the meantime, officials said drug users and their family members should be educated about how to identify and avoid opiate overdose.
"It's controversial but it's necessary," said Susan McKnight, director of the department's Substance Abuse Program. "Not everybody is ready for treatment. If you can keep someone alive until they are ready to receive treatment, you end up with a productive member of society."
That's certainly an optimistic outlook on things. And that productive member of society will pay back for all the TV's and jewelry and anything else that wasn't nailed down that they stole while waiting for that bright happy day when they were finally ready to receive treatment?
Sorry, but first hand experience with heroin addicts has jaded our outlook a bit.
Sorry, but first hand experience with heroin addicts has jaded our outlook a bit.
Labels: suburban, we got nothing
posted by SCC at 12:11 AM
44 Comments:
Fuck, man. Jaded? After seeing the aftermath of a breakin at a family house by a likely addict, my attitude is like Mao's: if they're using, hang 'em. Get rid of the users and the pushers and smugglers get rid of themselves.
However, if they die of an overdose, society has not lost a valuable member, and the state saves the cost of eventually having to try and treat them and/or take care of them until they may or may not kick their addiction.
SCC or anyone else...I don't intend this question to be snarky. Do you have credible statistics on the percentage of junkies that begin treatment that stay sober long enough to become productive members of society? Thanks.
Hospira donated all the doses of the narcan in Lake County. But when that runs out, guess who's gonna pay?
For my money - if the addict OD's - fuck it, let em die. One less addict.
But by bringing them back from the dead - no one learns a lesson about how nasty this crap is...
Are the suburban junkies more sympathetic to the Chicago Tribune readers because many are young white people that started by popping oxy pills?
These trends go in about 40-50 year cycles, because that is how long it takes the people that can say "Heroin is a Very Bad Idea!" to die off.
I suppose Crack will make a comeback in 10-15 years too.
Canada has some nice, isolated lakes and islands that you have to fly into. A drug rehabilitation center based on one of their islands sounds like a great idea.
Fresh Air!!!
Beautiful Surroundings!!!
And the damned addicts are not in my neighborhood ripping off anything not nailed down.
They want it, and El Chapo supplies it.
If we Americans did not buy these damned drugs, the Mexican Cartels would go out of business.
Speaking of the suburbs:
Gunman killed after ambushing police near Chicago, second man found dead
"A man who opened fire on police with a shotgun was killed as two officers returned fire at a suburban Chicago home where two more people were found to have been shot earlier, one of them fatally, police said.
The two officers, called to the house in a normally quiet, tree-lined neighborhood in the village of River Forest, just west of Chicago, were ambushed at the door by the suspect, said the town's deputy police chief, James O'Shea.
Both officers were treated at a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. One was struck by a round in his body armor, O'Shea said."
http://news.yahoo.com/gunman-killed-ambushing-police-near-chicago-second-man-030337997.html
Glad the officers are okay. I just wish police spokespersons would stop talking about how effective body armor is. Why train the bad guys to shoot for the head?
rb
In my 18 years in LE, I have yet to see a successful heroin recovery. I'm sure there are a few hidden somewhere that I'm unaware of, but without sounding callous, death is the best ending for some of these addicts and their families. If you think I'm the jerk, I've had loving parents make that exact comment to me when we're dealing with an OD.
Why save the junkies? Many of them are burglars by trade.
I once saw a paramedic use that stuff on an addict I thought was a goner. That addict was back to his asshole self in minutes.
my advise to "suburban" heroin users is "double down on your doses"
Police aren't the only ones who deal with addicts. It's trite, but addicts teach your kids, treat your medical problems, work next to you, etc. Just because, as AN LEO you're dealing with the worst of the worst doesn't put all addicts beyond hope. Keep an open mind. Treating addiction medically andcompassionately instead of as a moral and legal failing just might work. Or we can just keep the status quo going, it's working so well, right?
you end up with a productive member of society."
But how many McDonald workers do we really need?
While it is rare, it does happen that people clean up and become productive. My nephew was on heroin, lied, stole, wrote bad checks and ended up in prison. I really expected him to die at some point, but he did turn his life around. He is married with three kids a job and has just bought their second house since recovering. We live in a small city in Central Indiana if that makes any difference.
Heroin PUSHERS -- and that's what they are, not 'dealers' -- are the scum of the earth. And what they PUSH is D-E-A-T-H. It may be a slow death, but they're committing MURDER, MASS MURDER, and they know it.
Ergo, IMHO, when these maggots are busted for possession with intent to sell they should be immediately PUT DOWN! They're guilty of Murder, period. No trial necessary. And if at all possible let family members of the Pusher's now dead victims get in on carrying out the punishment.
I've known too many people over my lifetime (going back to the mid 1960's) who've died from Heroin. Why they started using beats the Hell out of me, but none planned on being a f--king Junkie, that's for sure!
(none were your 'typical loser' or ghetto trash)
Back in the day a heroin OD was parked in front of the 011 front door (between no parking signs) for most of a day before someone checked (cuz of Nate Gibson) on the vehicle only to find the guy dead inside.
If only we legalize heroin there would be controls to prevent ODs and the State, County and City could tax it for added revenue.
Daley's going-away present to the greater metropolitan area. Kicked over the 'jets like a giant anthill and scattered their contents for fifty miles around. Now you have 14-year-old girls being hacked to death in Indian Head Park, and all the west sub. officers are carrying Narcan squirters.
HUD will now officially target your "affluent neighborhood" for "lack of racial balance" and take care of the rest...
I always believed that serious addicts would be best managed by supplying them with unlimited quantities of their drug of choice.
I thought Chicago had the best heroin?? Those suburban dorks always come here for their fix........
Why, so the POS will get up and start fighting with me because I ruined his high?!
Anonymous said...
I always believed that serious addicts would be best managed by supplying them with unlimited quantities of their drug of choice.
7/13/2015 10:38:00 AM
Well, not unlimited. But some countries in Europe have made a determination on how much heroin a person needs to get on with their life and they give the dose to them twice a day. It seems to be working.
If only we legalize heroin there would be controls to prevent ODs and the State, County and City could tax it for added revenue.
7/13/2015 09:34:00 AM
Legalize? Never and you are a fool to believe that will solve your problem. But, de criminalize? Yes, I am on board with that. Send the people to drug court and to treatment. Nate Gibson? Well you weaken your argument by even mentioning his name.
I snorted heroin once when I was 19..I thought it was cocaine..made me nauseous..never wanted to try it again. Now I get my pleasure reading enlightened commentary on scc and shaved..do miss that cocaine though.
-20 and out...FUCK YOU OBAMA
It's not so much about heroin, it's about addiction. The dope just happens to be what the person got hooked on most likely by it being so addictive. You can literally use a few times and begin the "dope sick" symptoms when the shit starts to wear off.The only cure for that is more dope or tough it out shitting your pants and puking for days. But even then, that demon is inside you forever, calling you. I guess nobody knows if they have the addict gene until they're hooked on something and that only starts with that first try. It's a shame to say they should be killed off because of a bad choice that ended up fucking them for life. Would you say the same to the guys on the job with a drinking problem? They're one mistake away from being the asshole that ends up being the drunk roaming the streets. Reform is what is needed, somehow. But not by today's politicians, they'll just fuck it all up. Remember that strung out white girl roaming around the west side looking for dope might be a coppers kid that made a bad choice and is fucked for life. thats right, it might be my daughter. Sometimes I do think death would be better than her hell on earth. Other times I hope one day that shit might somehow loosen it's grip. It's hell. Hate the dealers, they actually know what they're doing. Got forbid any other copper end up in my spot, wouldn't wish it on anyone. Stay safe out there
ssc remember the songby lenard skynard "oh that smell i got the mobnkey on my back"
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Back in the day a heroin OD was parked in front of the 011 front door (between no parking signs) for most of a day before someone checked (cuz of Nate Gibson) on the vehicle only to find the guy dead inside.
If only we legalize heroin there would be controls to prevent ODs and the State, County and City could tax it for added revenue.
7/13/2015 09:34:00 AM
recall seeing an OD on a guy with fresh new prison clothes at Western and Washington. We were working CTA. I called for an ambulance and a 13th District car. Two cars from 013 came by and waved and kept going. I thought WTF at the time. Now I understand, we saw it, we were stuck. When the guy snapped to it from the Narcan CFD gave him we left too. Should have kept driving too but for all the hand-wavers yelling at us. The guy was out of prison all of a couple of hours and scored hisself a bag of hairon.
Not reading the post, not reading the comments.
My view is, if you 'try' heroin, you're an ass. If you get hooked on it, no surprise. Zero sympathy here.
Don't 'try' it; no problem.
Anonymous said...
Daley's going-away present to the greater metropolitan area. Kicked over the 'jets like a giant anthill and scattered their contents for fifty miles around. Now you have 14-year-old girls being hacked to death in Indian Head Park, and all the west sub. officers are carrying Narcan squirters.
HUD will now officially target your "affluent neighborhood" for "lack of racial balance" and take care of the rest...
7/13/2015 09:51:00 AM
No my friend not just "affluent neighborhoods" every neighborhood where you pay taxes and has low crime, the criminals are coming to your town,and using "your money" paid in taxes to live there!
Remember that song "God damn the pusher man"
I completely understand the disconcern, lack of empathy for the "junkies" encountered during a typical Tour. But, then their was a suburban teen family member. Man, i remember believing her every time she cried telling me she was getting help, quitting.... as sad as it is i found peace when she OD'd because i knew she was cured, she was at peace. I am thankfully she never had to sell herself or steal to use. I miss her everyday and her mother does too
Anonymous Anonymous said...
While it is rare, it does happen that people clean up and become productive. My nephew was on heroin, lied, stole, wrote bad checks and ended up in prison. I really expected him to die at some point, but he did turn his life around. He is married with three kids a job and has just bought their second house since recovering. We live in a small city in Central Indiana if that makes any difference.
7/13/2015 08:50:00 AM
Let me guess? Your nephew got out of prison and moved away from all his asshole friends, buddies and fellow junkies?
I am genuinely interested in what he did to succeed.
Anyone in 001 remember that girl that used to sit out on Michigan ave. panhandling a few years back? She looked like she was 16 but was early twenties and lived on lower Wacker with the other junkies. was out there for a couple years and then disappeared. I figured something bad happened to her and I asked around but got nothing. I was at Navy pier and was tapped on the shoulder, it was her. Hardly recognized her because she didn't look sick and malnourished anymore. She thanked me for being nice to her while she was out there. (Bought her a few hot chocolates when it was -10). Married, kid, husband looks like a decent guy and they looked like a happy couple. She said she just had enough and quit cold turkey. Clean almost 2 years and going to school. I was absolutely shocked. And I saw it in her eyes, she was telling the truth. Don't pretend to know about a battle you've never fought.
"Let me guess? Your nephew got out of prison and moved away from all his asshole friends, buddies and fellow junkies?
"I am genuinely interested in what he did to succeed."
7/13/2015 10:48:00 PM
One piece of advice for any recovery is to "change your playpen and your playmates."
Not that hard -- they'll drift away on their own when you are no longer a drinking/doping buddy.
(Not criticizing social drinking, just discussing it at the problem level.) Like someone said, "the bars are full of people who'll buy you $20 worth of drinks, but not a loaf of bread." I can get 7-Up for 99 cents/2 liters and drink it myself (out of a cleaner glass) without having to see fights, people throwing up, etc. The scene is built around alcohol. Without that, why hang around in there? It falls away...
Kind of goes like that.
"And I saw it in her eyes, she was telling the truth. Don't pretend to know about a battle you've never fought."
7/13/2015 11:41:00 PM
Good deal. My prayers go out to her, that she will continue to have a good life.
And to you, my friend. Stay safe.
"But even then, that demon is inside you forever, calling you. I guess nobody knows if they have the addict gene until they're hooked on something and that only starts with that first try."
7/13/2015 03:59:00 PM
"It's so good, don't even try it once."
Know someone who did -- first on the street, now has been on methadone for 30 years. She's 67 now...good person, helps others inasmuch as she can, but still has to worry about what new stunts they might pull at the clinic this month...
"If only we legalize heroin there would be controls to prevent ODs..."
7/13/2015 09:34:00 AM
Make it U.S.P. pure grade, sealed and certified from the drugstore, it's still a ticket to possible lifelong addiction, and people will still do too much of it some night...
The Majority of lives Cops save are Heroin Addicts who pass out in public quit breathing and are found seconds before they would of died,I've saved a few.
Death to Heroin Dealers
a few people are able to beat their heroin addiction, just as a few are able to beat their alcohol addiction.
the failure rate at treating these kind of things is very high. but somehow a few people manage to beat their addiction(s). mostly the treatment programs don't work all that well until an addict is ready to quit.
Anyone in 001 remember that girl that used to sit out on Michigan ave. panhandling a few years back? She looked like she was 16 but was early twenties and lived on lower Wacker with the other junkies. was out there for a couple years and then disappeared. I figured something bad happened to her and I asked around but got nothing. I was at Navy pier and was tapped on the shoulder, it was her. Hardly recognized her because she didn't look sick and malnourished anymore. She thanked me for being nice to her while she was out there. (Bought her a few hot chocolates when it was -10). Married, kid, husband looks like a decent guy and they looked like a happy couple. She said she just had enough and quit cold turkey. Clean almost 2 years and going to school. I was absolutely shocked. And I saw it in her eyes, she was telling the truth. Don't pretend to know about a battle you've never fought.
Great story, not too many with outcomes like this. Wish her the best and hope she continues to battle and beat it
Anonymous said...
"And I saw it in her eyes, she was telling the truth. Don't pretend to know about a battle you've never fought."
7/13/2015 11:41:00 PM
Thank you! People are cruel.
Fortunately, some who are fighting addictions to heroin and other drugs finally do make the decision to seek recovery. When that happens there are good treatment centers available across the country that have caring and qualified professionals to help see them through the recovery process.
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