[kmarc]

New Haven Declares Public Health Emergency After "Never Before Seen" Heroin Overdose Epidemic

New Haven declares health emergency after tainted heroin causes 15 overdoses, 2 fatal

[Sigequinox]

I'm more concerned about the ones who live to continue stealing, robbing, assaulting and victimizing the local population than I am the junkies who off themselves through negligent use of street grade narcotics. I'd rather see more money go to law enforcement task forces targeting major dealer busts than to resupply overdose medicine.

But thats a decision for society to make, not me or anyone else. NH and to an extent all CT residents, need to figure out how they want to deal with this problem and how to prioritize resources. I obviously lean toward preserving the social fabric, not the life of any particular junkie.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

I'm more concerned about the ones who live to continue stealing, robbing, assaulting and victimizing the local population than I am the junkies who off themselves through negligent use of street grade narcotics. I'd rather see more money go to law enforcement task forces targeting major dealer busts than to resupply overdose medicine.

But thats a decision for society to make, not me or anyone else. NH and to an extent all CT residents, need to figure out how they want to deal with this problem and how to prioritize resources. I obviously lean toward preserving the social fabric, not the life of any particular junkie.

Get Dannel on it!

[kmarc]

On a more serious note, Sig, on the face of it I don't disagree with you, but after having been down this rabbit hole of the "War on Drugs" and government involvement, I'm very, very cynical about that.

When I was a kid, the drug culture was getting cranked up, and what I found most helpful was education on the subject. I learned that heroin was forever, pretty much. I learned that there was no such thing as "I'll just try it once". It made a big impression on me. What made an even bigger impression was when I entered the working world and had a co-worker who was a junkie who went on a jag one day.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by Sigequinox

I'm more concerned about the ones who live to continue stealing, robbing, assaulting and victimizing the local population than I am the junkies who off themselves through negligent use of street grade narcotics. I'd rather see more money go to law enforcement task forces targeting major dealer busts than to resupply overdose medicine.

But thats a decision for society to make, not me or anyone else. NH and to an extent all CT residents, need to figure out how they want to deal with this problem and how to prioritize resources. I obviously lean toward preserving the social fabric, not the life of any particular junkie.

What a truly rotten thing to say. Those "junkies" are somebody's kid, father, mother, or loved one. I'm sure when addiction hits your family (as statistically it probably will), it will be "different." Just like some say it's different when their relatives are poor.

You should know that the fastest growing strata of addicts is "Mom's who had back surgery." I was subscribed Oxycotin after my colon resection. It's very powerful stuff and I can see why it's the beginning of many addictions.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I was subscribed Oxycotin after my colon resection.

Too much information.

[kmarc]

And again, mlass, all kidding aside, I can see both sides of this.

Anyone know if there have been follow up stories on this? I can't locate any. Anyone know who or what gangs are bringing this stuff to New Haven's streets? Or are journalists now silent on the subject because of fear of retribution?

[RunD1987]

Well don't worry CT is cutting services to Mental Health & Addiction, hospitals, social services, and emergency services so CT will be able to handle this crisis.

[kmarc]

Let me guess: neither you nor mlass have had the experience of dealing with an addict on a long term basis.

Walk a mile or two in the shoes of those who have, and you might feel differently. The chaos that one addict can wreak on the lives of those around them can be brutal. And they don't give a stink whether or not they put your or anyone else's life at risk.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Well don't worry CT is cutting services to Mental Health & Addiction, hospitals, social services, and emergency services so CT will be able to handle this crisis.

Well, that's a recipe for disaster, isn't it? Double whammy.