The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose (poisoning) deaths, according to the latest statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137 percent, including a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (opioid pain relievers and heroin).
Kentucky hasn't been exempt from the drug epidemic that's sweeping the nation. In 2015 there were 1,248 overdoses in Kentucky and of those 420 were fentanyl and heroin--34 percent of all deaths. Jefferson County had the most overdoses with 268.
Sue Lowrie, a Fort Knox Army Substance Abuse Program prevention coordinator, said many believe the epidemic is fueled by the state crackdown on prescription pill abuse.
"Addicts turned to the nearest drug they could find and heroin became the alternative drug to pain killers (instead) of their pills," explained Lowrie. "Heroin is cheap and potent. A $25 bundle (is) the same high as an $80 OxyContin pill.
"What I think on a personal level as a substance abuse instructor, when Kentucky cracked down on filling prescriptions through 'doctor shopping,' the addicts looked for a substitute and heroin fit the picture for them.
"It's a pain killer, opiate, potent, cheap and available with no questions asked from the dealers. It can be taken several different ways without leaving tracks, needle marks, and the potency of the drug depends on the user and their own street drug knowledge of what's a safe amount to use. In other words, a new user is going to start out slower only to build up the addiction for increased amounts. Pure heroin will kill you with no remorse."
Even though Kentucky is being hit hard, there is a national trend with heroin. A drug of choice in the '60s and '70s is now a drug for 2016 and beyond more than likely, Lowrie said.
Although many believe the increase rate of users is attributed to the crackdown on prescription drugs being dispensed, especially opiates, some think it's just society's way of finding one drug to replace another.
"In other words, another one pops up --a cycle that repeats itself over and over," she said.
Although heroin is becoming the drug of choice, it's also being mixed with prescription drugs such as fentanyl, which is a potent pain killer. Lowrie said this is when overdoses happen very quickly. The respiratory system begins to shut down because the brain tells the body to stop breathing.
Another dangerous drug that's hit the streets causing users to overdose at high rates is carfentanil--elephant tranquilizer. Lowrie pointed out that law enforcement is closely watching this additive to heroin because it's killed several people and law enforcement is finding out just how dangerous it is.
"It is a sedative--deadly--used on elephants or other large animals as a means to sedate," explained Lowrie. "In fact, they're warning law enforcement not to test these drugs, known as 'field testing,' because of the danger to anyone who touches the drug or inhale the fumes. As they describe it, 'just a small amount absorbed through the skin can kill you.'
"It's now in central Kentucky. Just to give you an example of its potency, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent to heroin, (and) people are mixing these two. Overdoses are happening all for anyone attempting to use these two drugs mixed. Elephant tranquilizer is 100 times as potent as fentanyl."
Lowrie added that carfentanil is being mixed with heroin and being based off as being much weaker.
"A coroner in Cincinnati warned that the overdose antidote naloxone might not be enough to save people overdosing on carfentanil," she said.
She pointed out that an individual can't say they will only use heroin one time and not get addicted because they can quickly build up a tolerance. People will describe their first experience as being euphoric and that leads users to chasing that initial high. Heroin users use the drug two to three times per day to maintain that high, said Lowrie.
"Heroin is not a slow addiction, it can happen quickly," Lowrie said. "We've always stereotyped anyone using drugs as being a loser. Many start (using) by taking prescription drugs for pain and when they the prescription (ends they begin) using illegal drugs."
Although Fort Knox hasn't experienced any overdoses, Lowrie said carfentanil is in Louisville and there have been overdoses.
"Our concern is how many of our Soldiers go to Louisville (and are possibly) exposed to drugs," she said.
Even though Fort Knox hasn't had an issue with carfentanil, Lowrie said that doesn't mean the
problem should be ignored because the issues and concerns of these drugs are prevalent and have horrific consequences to users who are only 45 miles up the road from Fort Knox.
"We must stay focused that these drugs are here and just waiting for someone to maybe just try one time," explained Lowrie. "It only takes one time when you're experimenting with drugs like these. The addiction process can be immediate for many. It's just not worth the price you end up paying, but hopefully through education we can stop these drugs at the gates."
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