Drugs in the Northland: Heroin

Overdoses are on the Rise

Sorry, this video is no longer available

Not only is drug use becoming more common around this area, it’s also causing more hospital visits.

This is part one of a special report on Drugs in the Northland.

For the third year in a row drug overdoses are on the rise in Duluth.

According to Duluth Police, in all of 2013 there were 17 overdoses total for the city.

To date this year, in mid–October, there have already been 88 overdoses.

No matter the drug, OD’s are on the rise and a major concern is heroin.

For most addicts, money slips through their hands to feed a destructive beast that will eventually consume some.

“It’s the worst that we’ve seen heroin in the area,” said Lieutenant Jeff Kazel with Duluth Police.

Since January there have been 47 Heroin overdoses.

Those most often hooked on the drug are young adults.

“The CDC has put out statistics that the age range 18–25 has been the most affected they have seen that number double in the past decade with people that are using or addicted to heroin,” said Lt. Kazel.

Authorities are funding much of the heroin sold in the Northland has direct ties to Chicago.

“The heroin is usually packaged up in a little twist off bag much smaller than this,” said an anonymous officer with Superior Police.

The narcotic is also sold wrapped in tin foil folded in tiny squares.

“Unravel it and heat the bottom, you can see how it is scorched and then they will chase the dragon. The pebble across the tin foil and across the straw leaves those burn marks,” explained the anonymous officer.

For some users, the preferred method is intravenous.

It’s an instant hit to the blood stream, increasing the risk of an overdose.

“We don’t get anyone that is overdosing on heroin that is smoking it. Everybody that is overdosing it is injecting it,” said a Superior Police Officer.

Cloquet’s Chief of Police Steve Stracek has watched the profile of heroin users spread beyond old stereotypes.

“You typically experienced heroin users as this down and out person stumbling through the alley ways where really now you’re seeing more mainstream use. (You see) addiction that pops up through exposure at a party or maybe someone self–medicating, or leading to Heroin use after an addiction to pain killers or that type of thing,” said Stracek.

As with any addiction, no matter the drug, it costs money.

The anonymous officer with Superior Police told us 90 percent of property crimes in the community are now drug related.

“All the property crimes come right back to drug use,” stated the officer.

In Duluth, authorities said they have seen an uptick in vehicle prowls.

The story is much the same in Cloquet as theft is on the rise.

“Typically what happens is that they will shop lift items and then return it for cash or they will sell it on the street or trade it for drugs,” explained Chief Stracek.

All three communities have had multiple forums over the last year to help raise public awareness about drug use, but authorities know citizens also need to take a greater initiative.

“So when you’re seeing issues at your neighbor’s house short–term traffic or things that are suspicious we really need to hear about those things,” said Chief Stracek.

It’s a chance to be a change and not turn a blind eye to what is now being called an epidemic in America.

President Obama has called the increase of heroin and prescription drug abuse in the nation an epidemic.

Mid–October he vowed to increase access to drug treatment center and offer more training to doctors who prescribe prescription painkillers.