Heroin: A Real Issue | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Heroin: A Real Issue

The Silent Killer With No Motive

13
Heroin: A Real Issue
american addiction centers

Heroin has hit the news again this time nationally even more. From a mother on the ground of a Wal-Mart to kids in the car it seems like something out of the Walking Dead. Heroin has been a problem for the past couple of years. We all know someone who has lost a friend, family member, co-worker, etc, to the drug. How is it such a problem?

Heroin addicts are not your typical junkies that you see in Hollywood. They are fully functional but have a problem. Most people get hooked to the drug are actually people who no longer can afford to or get a prescription for opiate pain killer like oxycodone. Westchester County Dept. Of Health compiled the numbers of overdoses or "ODs" for short. The numbers are high with patients who had injury /major surgery or geriatric patients on opiates.

What is a opiate you ask? An opiate is a drug that is derived from the opium plant poppy. The same plant you get your poppy seed bagels from. Morphine comes from this plant and others. Drugs that are more potent like fentanyl are synthetic and made in a lab.

Heroin overdoses are very serious and happens a lot. Most od's are either from a person with a high tolerance to the drug and needs more to get the "edge" off. The "edge" could be pain, it could be psychological or it can be just something to keep the jitters away so you can function. Most addicts did not choose to become one. We have a problem in this country with it. And we can help stop it.

The problem is the overuse to give pain killers. Pain is a hard thing to treat because it can affect everyone differently. It is not like having a broken bone where you put a cast on it. Pain is very fluid and generic pain is hard to give the right medication for. Do they need Advil or maybe a narcotic for it. When doctors over prescribe opiates is where we find the habits but also it can be from someone who uses to feel numb and only had one refill. Knowing when to give it is a must and further education is needed.

There is one drug to help combat an opiate over dose and that is naloxone or narcan for short. Narcan works by plugging up the receptors that the opiate uses to relieve pain. The affect of it is instant. Truly an amazing drug.

If you suspect someone of having a od check for these signs:

1. In a eurphoric state or sleeping ( will be hard waking up)

2. The heart rate and respirations will be slow ( heart rate below 60 and respirations will be less then 14)

3. The pupils will be pinpoint in light or shined in

4. Gurling, gasping, or snoring

5. Blue nails, lips

6. Cool or clamy skin

If you think someone has call 911 and put the person on their left side with their head on the left arm. This will protect them from choking on vomit if they do.

Be safe and lets stop this issue.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

80109
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

8466
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments