The CDC recently <a href=”http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2015/p0114-drug-overdose.html” target=”_blank”>announced</a> that in 2013, deaths involving heroin <a href=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/heroin-deaths-cdc_n_6459130.html” target=”_blank”>increased 39%</a> from 2012. While drug deaths related to prescription opioids have remained stable since 2012, the mortality rate associated with heroin increased for the third year in a row. “These troubling statistics illustrate a grim reality: that drug, and particularly opioid abuse, represents a growing public health crisis,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. And, as <a href=”http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/01/13/heroin-suspects-arrested-northern-westchester/21684723/” target=”_blank”>recent news</a> reports show, this is a problem that affects our local community. In response to the growing trend, in December 2013 Governor Cuomo <a href=”http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-second-phase-combat-heroin-campaign” target=”_blank”>announced</a> renewed efforts to combat the problem and Rockland County’s District Attorney last year unveiled a <a href=”http://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/press-releases/2014-press-releases/district-attorney-county-executive-unveil-community-action-plan-/” target=”_blank”>new prevention plan</a> including specialized training for prosecutors, local law enforcement and school districts on the dangers and warning signs of heroin use and overdose death, treatment options and support groups, resources and prevention opportunities.
Read More