The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (March 5, 2014) – Heroin has made resurgence in NY.

Cheaper than the opioids that permeated our communities, in past years, they are fast becoming the drug of choice among our young people. The dangers posed by the abuse of this drug have made stark headlines in recent weeks, culminating in the death of actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, fresh in the public’s psyche / memory. Yet, we must be ever-cognizant that substance abuse affects and impacts all sectors of our society, not just the Hollywood elite. That it is our young people who will be most attracted to experimenting with these cost-effective, prescription drug alternatives. The old has become new again.

Heroin use has been rising since 2007, growing from 373,000 yearly users nationwide to 669,000 in 2012 according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Just two hours south of us, Heroin-related deaths have increased 84% between 2010 and 2012, in New York City, and involved 52% of all overdose deaths in 2012 according to the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Our community has seen the recent effects of what Heroin can and does do to our children, family, friends, neighbors, and local businesses. No one is immune to what destruction this drug does.

And now, with the closing of a number of drug treatment facilities within Sullivan County, and its environs, the onus falls squarely on our shoulders, as a community, to be among those in the front lines, targeting this deadly scourge. This can be best accomplished by educating our youth, in this way helping to safeguard their falling prey to its use; or at the very least, getting help for those already afflicted.

The Recovery Center continues to do its part, working collaboratively with Sullivan CareCorps Coalition; with our school districts; and with our community partners to inform, educate, and prevent the use of drugs, particularly opioids and marijuana, and alcohol, among our young people.

A youth summit, entitled, “Building Safer and Healthier Community” is being planned for March 27, at New Hope Community, in Loch Sheldrake, and will address how to empower youth to make good decisions. Student representatives from all eight school districts have been invited to attend.

Sullivan County’s youth are our future. We must join together to ensure they stay the course and reach their full potential, free of the enslaving influences of substance abuse.

If you know someone battling addiction, please contact the Recovery Center, at 845-794-8080, ext. 0, for more information. There is help available.