Heroin in Connecticut

The nearby town of Willimantic has been known as heroin hub since about 1965. Within the town’s four square-mile radius remains a high visibility and volume of heroin trade. Wholesalers in Hartford pick up in New York City and then peddle the drug to Willimantic. Willimantic supplies to its proportionally large population of addicts, surrounding rural communities, as well as distributors in Providence, Worcester, and Boston. However, the quantities of heroin being turned over in Willimantic no longer constitute DEA involvement, and the problem is left in the hands of local police and officials. This drug has lead to other problems such as high rates of drug-fueled prostitution and burglary.

However, heroin is not only a problem in commonly associated areas such as Willimantic and Hartford. The use of the drug is on the rise in many affluent communities as well. The town of Greenwich has seen deaths from heroin every year since 2011, and hospitalizations due to opiate addictions have risen by a factor of three. Many individual’s heroin abuse problems begin with prescription opiate addictions, stemming from both illegal and legal use. A combination of moves from international cartels has dramatically reduced the cost of heroin, providing it as a much cheaper option for opiate abusers from a range of communities. To help face the epidemic, senators from Connecticut are asking to increase federal support for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funding would hopefully support increased law-enforcement, prevention of heroin and prescription drug abuse, community collaboration among social service agencies, and making heroin overdose drugs more available.

References

Cummings B. Call to battle Connecticut’s heroin epidemic. CTPost. March 17, 2014. http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Call-to-battle-Connecticut-s-heroin-epidemic-5325065.php

Fox TG, Luekhardt B. Small town, big time heroin use. Hartford Courant.October 20, 2002.

Pottle J. Heroin use on the rise in more affluent communities. CTPost.September 20, 2014. http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Heroin-use-on-the-rise-in-more-affluent-5769746.php

#Drugabuse #Addiction