Heroin use has been on the rise for seven years in the United States.

Larger cities first experienced the influx of abuse, crime, and overdoses.

The price of the drug, and the addictive nature have simply made its way here.

We are fueled locally by interstate access, poor economics, and an established substance abuser base.

Who is using this drug and what does it do to them?

We have an increased jail population of heroin users, which means they have been arrested for commission of crimes.

Families are affected at all levels as a result of these addictions. Poor choices are being made that impact victims. The substance abuse world doesn’t discriminate, and we are no stranger to dealing with the negative impacts.

All types of people are known to succumb to the temptation.

The addiction to heroin, are above the rest.

One use of this drug can lead to addition.

Overdose frequently involves the suppression of breathing. This can affect the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, which can have short and long term effects, including coma and permanent brain damage.

Other health effects are collapsing veins, cramping, liver or kidney disease, pneumonia, and other effects on breathing.

After a person realizes that this addiction has been bad for them, they may have a genuine desire to stop using.

However, the physical addiction often compels them continue use in order to avoid or lessen the withdrawal symptoms.

People are sharing needles, which have led to increased HIV, hepatitis, and passing of infectious disease.

The variety of distribution dictates how pure a dosage unit is for a user. Drug dealers often use poison and other substances to dilute the heroin.

The potency is very unpredictable, thus a large amount of overdoses and permanent damages take place. In the period from July 1st, 2015 thru present we had 26 over doses reported. From January 1st, 2014 and January 1st, 2015 a total of 47 have been reported. The influx is measurable, and I note that the amount of persons going to various hospitals by private means, is unavailable.

Where is it coming from?

In the early 2000’s, 90 percent of the opium (raw material for heroin) came from Afghanistan. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, nearly all of the heroin is being smuggled over the 1933- mile Mexican border.

The two largest Mexican cartels, control border trafficking.

Heroin is on the rise.

Ten years ago, a pound of heroin would be intercepted and considered a big load. Currently, it’s common to interdict 50 or 60 pounds of heroin.

There are networks of various drug dealers established already.

They make their way to our community.

Once distributed, heroin can be in powder form, white,off-white,brown, or even black in color.

Recommendations from the sheriff

We recommend that as a community, we stand together to combat this vicious cycle of addiction. Educate yourself online as to the appearance and signs of addiction. Educate others as to the health risk associated with heroin.

Don’t stand idle, as drug dealers pollute our streets and destroy the futures of our young people. Call the Halifax County Drug Task Force on the Halifax County Crimestoppers Line at 252-583-4444. Your information will be held confidential.

A thought and prayer from the Rally Around the Families for Justice vigil

As we rally around the families for justice in Northampton and Halifax Counties, it is my prayer that you are a just God.

You are perfect in all your judgements.

You balance every scale. In time, all the accounts will be settled.

All truth will be told. All debts will be evenly scored. For now, in this world, we can push for justice and labor for truth and fair payment, but we must often settle for less.

We pray for those who have suffered a grave injustice, for those who have had something precious, taken, broken, destroyed.

We pray for their souls, that the loss, which cannot be replaced, will be filled with a miracle of comfort. Give the victims of crime the assurance that you stand with them, that you hate injustice even more than they hate it.

Come close to the broken hearted. Console and join them in their anger.

Help them to be angry without turning bitter.

God, be with those who have stood by as the wicked seem to survive their wickedness. Give them patient hope that in the span of eternity all truth will be told and all scales will be balanced.

And as they collapse into your perfect love and wisdom, help them that sorrow alone is the way into your deepest heart.

And may they find you in their sorrow, and find from you what only you can provide a hope that does not disappoint.

Amen