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| Heroin balloons. Street value-$40/balloon. Users may shoot up 1-6/day. |
My hero at the moment is a 27 year old girl --we'll call her Tara--who is on her second day of detoxing from her heroin addiction. I've just spent the week in a rural midwest community that is literally being eaten alive by black tar heroin. To say that I was shocked would be to grossly understate my reaction upon seeing this epidemic unfold before my own eyes.
I have to be a little vague with the details as this report will be featured in a Nightline episode within the next couple of weeks, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about this world that exists in our own backyard.
After refusing to touch it for years despite the fact that is was all around her, Tara finally gave in to heroin's taunts only eleven months ago. She thought she could try a little bit and not get addicted so she shot up half a needle full. She has used everyday since. In less than a year, she has lost her children, her home, her car, all of her possessions and anything that ever meant anything to her. To support her addiction, she has stolen from the people she loves most and says that she has been close to selling her body for money to buy dope.
What I learned is that one can't be a recreational heroin user. Once the drug is in a person's system, the body needs to continue feeding it or else it goes into an excruciatingly painful state that user's say feels "worse then death." Being high is the only way for the body to remain pain free.
Tara lives in a county in the middle of the U.S. that comprises about 6 small towns. The police chief of one of the towns told me that every single family in the region has been affected by heroin. I met so many people I would never expect would be hooked on heroin. For the most part, addicts commit crimes to support their habit. The local jail is filled with people there on heroin related charges: using, selling, prostituting, theft, dui, armed assault.
I left Tara yesterday, her first full day without dope. She was shaking and perspiring profusely. I have called her three times since and am going to try to call her everyday to check on her progress. Knowing that she will likely end up dead or in jail and the only way for her to ever get her kids back is to try to stop. In fact, not a single user that I met wanted to be a heroin addict, they hate it. But, they are controlled by their need to feed the pain that they would feel otherwise.
The community is so small and lacking in resources that people who want to quit have no where to go. I met one user who told me that he is repeatedly rejected by the clinics that he has visited. Furthermore, none provide what many users told me they need; to be institutionalized and away from everything.
In her last phone message, Tara said that she is hurting so much but that she is mentally strong. After having been exposed to this insideous drug and its aftermath face to face, I must say that I have so much admiration for Tara and what she's trying to do.
I have thought more about your blog and have more to say...
1. Are you trained to help Tara or are you just making her a celebrity in detox because Lisa Ling calls - what happens to her when you move on to another story and have a new hero of the moment... where is her support system then?
2. Are you trained to help someone return to the real world after detox - because you are playing the role of a drug & alcohol sponsor?
3. Do you know how much it costs to have someone in detox via a hospital? Do you have any idea how many users get scheduled for detox and never show up and/or use as soon as they are discharged - or walk away from the facility because they can't stand the cravings any more...
4. Detox is also the first time - in Tara's case per you 11 months - is feeling her own body and emotions... scarey... but she has to do it... and most of the users can't - it is too freightening and painful...
5. Tell the stories of the people who are helping the Tara's transition from the moment of detoxing to returning to their homes - whether 5 bedroom / 4 bath homes or the streets... that is the process to talk about - how hard it is - the self commitment and the commitment of those who assist w/ that transition.
6. Tell the stories of the addicts who make appointments because they want to get clean but can't resist the power of the drug and the dependency.
7. Tell the stories of the counselings and support systems that make appointments and commitments to the "users" after detoxing (remember the cost in over $8000 per detox visit in qualified center) and the addict never shows up for the appointments... or who run away from residential centers to get their drug of choice.
8. Tell the success stories - of the horrors of drug use, detoxing, learning about emotions and self, and returning to being a useful member of society.
Beverly, I wouldn't waste your time. The whole story was not told and the story was twisted. I am glad you understand the situation, but sadly nobody else does or will.