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.