The Heroin Epidemic
Heroin is a drug that has affected the lives of millions of people. The individuals themselves, who develop a dependence for this drug, greatly suffer from using it. It is important to remember, it is not only the users themselves who suffer; their friends, families, and loved ones also suffer the costs and pain associated with this addiction.
In 2015 Time Magazine published an article, which focused on the heroin problem in the United States. The complete title of the article was Heroin Problem in the U.S. Reaches Epidemic levels. This article recognizes that the heroin issue is no longer simply a problem; it has developed into a national epidemic. This article was eye opening and the author Alexandra Sifferlin provided insight into this issue. In the article Sifferlin (2015) stated, “In 2013 an estimated 517,000 people reported that they had used heroin in the last year or had a heroin-related dependence, a 150% increase from 2007” (p. 1). This statistic in and of itself is staggering and it demonstrates that heroin has no boundary or specific victim. A 150% growth in such a short period of time is unprecedented and is a cause for concern.
Massachusetts has seen a drastic increase in overdose deaths and opioid related violence and victimization in recent years. This epidemic has become so severe that in addition to ambulance providers, police officers are also carrying and administering nasal naloxone (narcan). It is no longer uncommon to respond to an address where the same person has overdosed multiple times in one day; it truly is sad. Heroin use has led to innocent children stepping on needles during baseball games, men and women overdosing in public forums, and first responders risking infection to provide care for victims. This is an epidemic that needs to be addressed.
Massachusetts recently introduced an unconventional approach to solving this epidemic. Dr. Jessie Gaeta, who works at Boston Health care for the Homeless Program, introduced a concept in 2016 that involves creating safe spaces for heroin addicts to use drugs. Dr. Gaeta’s office is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Albany Street, in downtown Boston. This area is heavily populated with homeless men and women and most, if not all of them, participate in drug use on the very sidewalks they grew up walking down. This area of Boston is so congested with drug use it is nicknamed the methadone mile. In an article published by CBS News titled “Safe Space” for heroin addicts sparks hope, controversy the author, Kenneth Craig provides insight into this method of substance abuse treatment.
The concept of safe spaces for drug use is extremely controversial. Many believe clinics such as this enable drug users to continue their harmful habits. The purpose of the safe space developed by Dr. Gaeta is to allow drug users to progress through their period of being high, while being monitored by medical professionals. In the article Dr. Gaeta is quoted by Kenneth Craig (2016) as saying, “If things are in a bad way, and you’re going to overdose, at least we have everything at our fingertips to reverse that” (p. 1). The purpose of the clinic is to provide immediate treatment to an addict if they overdose during a cycle of abusing narcotics. This program and what it has to offer has gained the support of many politicians. The annual cost of this clinic will be approximately $200,000 per year; public support has already began to flow in.
The question now on the mind of most is, is this a viable solution to addressing the heroin epidemic in the United States and more specifically, the Boston area? To answer that I would like to speak about a case that originated in the Boston suburb of Arlington, Ma. In an article published by CBS News titled The high cost of heroin addiction the authors Jonathan Blakely and Demarco Morgan provide insight on this issue. Blakely and Morgan chronicled the journey of Jason Amaral. In the article Jason spoke about how he had a desire to change his life because he one day wants a family and a job. Jason truly wanted to defeat his addiction and he subsequently entered a Recovery Center of America (RCA). Blakely and Morgan (2016) stated “The program at RCA usually costs $25,000, but his friend Mike Duggan partnered with the Arlington, Massachusetts Police Department to get him into RCA on scholarship” (p. 1). A $25,000 bill for rehabilitation is a large-scale cost, especially since the Time magazine article notes that most heroin addicts have an income of less than $20,000 per year. To make matters worse Blakely and Morgan (2016) note that, “In Massachusetts, it takes an average of 19 days before an addict can actually start a rehab program. Sometimes, it can take up to 10 weeks” (p. 1). As recently as two weeks ago I was speaking to a licensed mental health clinician and this person informed me that the average stay in a rehabilitation facility for addiction is twenty (20) days. Twenty days in not sufficient, especially when a person is working to defeat their heroin addiction.
In their article Blakely and Morgan (2016) note that, “About 50,000 people go to detox each year in Massachusetts, but there are only 3,000 public beds for next-step treatment” (p. 1). Despite receiving 94 million dollars in funding, designated for drug rehabilitation, there are still an insufficient amount of resources; 45 states received this funding. Despite these shortcomings Jason accomplished the first phase of rehab; how Jason progressed from there is unknown to me.
The question now becomes, are we enabling heroin addicts to continue their addiction by making safe spaces for drug use, or should we be investing federal grant money and public support money into treatment facilities? There are far less beds, facilities, and resources than there are patients in Massachusetts. In her lecture notes Dr. Danielle Rousseau (2017) notes,
In 2010, nearly 8 million individuals age 12 or older needed to be treated for illicit drug use…only about 1.5 million of these individuals actually received treatment at a facility designated for illicit drug use… according to CASA Columbia, 65 percent of inmates in 2010 met the criteria for substance abuse or addiction…those who suffer from addiction and committed crimes relating to drugs or alcohol made up 85 percent of the nation’s prison population (p. 10).
These statistics exemplify how drug use not only leads to addiction and despair but it also leads to crime. By creating a safe space for heroin addicts I believe we may still be enabling crimes to be committed, which are associated with drug abuse. Addicts will still need to obtain heroin prior to entering the treatment facility and that may sustain crime statistics related to robberies and breaking and entering cases. Drug related arrests may also stay at the levels they are currently at, or increase.
I want this epidemic to be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. I have old friends who have overdosed multiple times and I know too many people who have passed away from this addiction. Biological factors and social learning both factor into addiction. By investing money and funding in research and treatment I believe those suffering from addiction will be better served. Sentencing a heroin addict to prison or sending them to a rehabilitation facility that is not constructed with their best interests in mind is doing a disservice to the person who is addicted. Through public support and political influence we as a society can better the lives of those suffering from addiction. I truly hope that Dr. Gaeta’s approach is successful if it is implemented in Massachusetts. As of now I do not believe that any centers have been established; last I heard the government wanted more studies to confirm the pros and cons of this method of treatment. As recently as this June multiple health care agencies are still promoting this method of treatment. If this method of treatment is recognized and proceeds forward I truly hope it assists those in need. However, if it does not prove to be successful I believe we need to better serve those addicted by establishing sufficient facilities. Hospitals and emergency rooms are overcrowded and treatment facilities do not have an ample amount of resources to serve patients. By creating facilities with beds equal to the amount of patients they will see during intake and allowing the patients to stay for a sufficient amount of time we may see an increase in successful rehabilitation.
Just today the Boston Globe published an article that is titled Mayor wants 4 more clinicians to help keep mentally ill out of jail. Mayor Martin Walsh recently devoted over $234,000 dollars to funding that will place four additional licensed mental health clinicians in various districts around the City of Boston. These mental health clinicians work with officers during calls for service involving people who are mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse. The team, which is known as the Boston Emergency Service team (BEST) team has assisted in countless cases across the city. Whether they have responded to district stations or actual scenes the BEST team has a successful track record to say the least. The four new clinicians will strengthen this already successful unit. This additional funding also demonstrates the City of Boston’s commitment to addressing and servicing those affected by mental health and substance abuse issues. Mayor Walsh also wants to open up additional clinics for those who do not have a home. It will be interesting to see the results of this plan in the future.
Works Cited:
Blakely, J. Demarco, M. (2016). The high cost of heroin addiction. CBS Evening News. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-high-cost-of-heroin-addiction-jasons-journey/
Craig, K. (2016). “Safe space” for heroin addicts sparks hope, controversy. CBS News. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-safe-space-for-heroin-addicts-hope-controversy/
Rousseau, D. (2017). Module One Lecture Notes. Personal Collection of D. Rousseau, Boston University: Metropolitan College, Boston, Ma
Sifferlin, A. (2015). Heroin use in U.S. reaches Epidemic Levels. Time Magazine. Retrieved from: http://time.com/3946904/heroin-epidemic/