BOISE, Idaho (AP) - DEATHS
Idaho doesn’t track heroin-related deaths. Instead, the state tracks the cause of death written on the death certificate, which often simply reads “overdose.” From 2003 to 2012, only 25 death certificates listed “heroin overdose” as the cause of death. But the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports drug-related deaths are rising: Just 69 drug-related deaths were reported in 2000, compared to 184 in 2009, the most recent year available.
USE
Idaho doesn’t have estimates of total heroin use within state borders, but police tallied 120 heroin arrests in 2012, making up 1.1 percent of all drug arrests. That was a 60 percent increase from the previous year, when 75 heroin arrests were made. Idaho State Police statistics show those arrested in connection with heroin were almost always white (92.2 percent) and mostly male (68.9 percent).
TREATMENT
Idaho does not track the number of people being treated for heroin addiction.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Idaho lawmakers took no legislative action focused on heroin use this year.
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