Some states, including Mississippi, are reporting a rise in heroin use as many addicts shift from more costly and harder-to-get prescription opiates to this cheaper alternative. A look at what’s happening in Mississippi.
THE PROBLEM:
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officials say heroin is considered a minimal drug threat in Mississippi due to the low demand and high cost of the drug. Most heroin seizures result from interdiction stops destined for eastern states or low volume dealers from adjacent states. Officials said they say they have seen a slight increase in heroin seizures over the last year. Heroin, health authorities say, ranks behind methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana among the state’s leading problem drugs.
THE NUMBERS:
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics records showed 25 heroin cases for 2012, the most recent year available - more than double the 11 cases made in 2011. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health reported from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 there were 129 heroin treatment admissions in Mississippi. MBN statistics indicate that during calendar 2012 approximately 29 percent of all drug cases initiated were for cocaine, primarily crack cocaine. Marijuana represented about 32 percent of all the drug related arrests by MBN in 2012.
RAMIFICATIONS/SOLUTIONS:
Since 2007, Mississippi medical examiners and coroners have been required to file reports with the state Bureau of Narcotics on drug overdose deaths. Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain says while the statistics are considered public record, the details on the forms - such as names, addresses - submitted by coroners are not.
According to the most recent statistics available, there were 249 reported drug overdose deaths during calendar 2012.
The Bureau of Narcotics says only 5 percent of the deaths - about 12 - were tied to cocaine and marijuana. The remainder came from overdoses of prescription drugs, mostly painkillers.
There have been no efforts in the Mississippi Legislature to specifically address heroin addiction an abuse.
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