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Sunday, October 02, 2016

Just Say No to Narcan? Heroin Rescue Efforts Draw Backlash

CINCINNATI (AP) — First responders in U.S. communities reeling from waves of heroin overdoses say some people tell them they should just say no to using so many resources on drug abusers.

Authorities say people have expressed frustration about rescuing addicts who often immediately resume using the potentially deadly drug. There are also concerns voiced about the wide-ranging social and government budget costs involved, including for the overdose antidote naloxone.

Some signs of heroin overdose backlash:

— Gov. Paul LePage in hard-hit Maine vetoed legislation this year to expand access to naloxone, usually under the brand name Narcan. He has explained that when people are receiving a dozen or more doses, they should start having to pay for it. The Legislature overrode his veto.

— An effort by authorities in Ohio’s Hamilton County to get a dangerous heroin batch off the streets by offering immunity for people who turn in drugs drew a rebuke from Sheriff Richard Jones in neighboring Butler County, who argued it only enables dealers and users and gives them an excuse if they are caught.

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15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for people who become addicted to anything. Why anyone knowing how extremely addictive heroin is and that no one is immune to its addictive powers, would use this substance is beyond comprehension. I believe we waste resources on these people by trying to save them.

Anonymous said...

Note: There is absolutely no public discussion about the origins of heroin which is primarily from Afghanistan. There is plenty of evidence that the drugs are brought into the Country via the military. Intelligence agencies use drug smuggling to fund their black operations. Our own government is selling heroin to the citizens.

Anonymous said...

they've already made a choice. so who are we to interfere with their lifestyle choices? are we gonna throw money and rush to save all the obese people? smokers? drunks? where does it stop?

Anonymous said...

This makes big pharma rich and the popo and the fed now do nothing and the money keeps flowing, but now is 2 directions.

Before it was just our government and the drug dealers, now big pharma is getting its cut.

money greed, money greed.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps the person who has been revived x amount of times goes on a DNR (do not resucitate) list? To a certain degree, these programs are enabling the addicts to keep on doing what they do. 12 times? They probably think they're invincible at this point.

Anonymous said...

I agree 5:15. I read somewhere recently where a dealer was caught selling the Narcan kits as well as the heroin. I have also peeked in on some drug message boards and a lot of the people are saying they would never have tried heroin if not for Narcan. It seems to be giving a false sense of security and creating more addicts.

Anonymous said...

Each of us will save a person when faced with the decision.
We are all morally good people. Our hearts are what matters, not our words.
If the product is available, I will give it to a person in need.
If I don't, i will feel terrible for the rest of my life.

Anonymous said...

Blame big pharma and all of you who continue to vote the same clowns back in office. You spend all your time railimg against obama over every fictional story you see all the while your local and state politicians are ripping you off.

Unknown said...

Everyone should look up ibogain.... natural and outlawed by America for opiate withdrawal....If your not part of the solution you are part of the problem....It's really all about money to the politicians the businessmen and women and everyone pointed the fingers at addicts.lol you really think the problem is with them when the war on drugs stayed when I was born in the 80s and the quantity, quality, and amount of money they make had gone up. So ask yourselves before committing on something like this...Is it the person who is getting help at the lowest place in they're life at fault for seeking and or getting help it is it the person who is charging 10s of thousands for treatment and medicine at fault saying they are part of the solution? Where's the humanity at in this world?

Anonymous said...

6:18 Not me, I won't feel terrible one bit.
7:02 Yes they are at fault. Part of our humanity is the ability to make choices. Make the wrong one face the consequences on your own. The snake gave us this when we ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

Anonymous said...

More government fraud because politicians accept the big bucks drug company lobbyists give them. They don't care anything about The People anymore. It's all about power and money.

Anonymous said...

Really? You feel sorry? These losers are burning up YOUR tax dollars and raising the cost of medical care. LET THEM DIE. They are a net negative to society.

Anonymous said...

501 and 545 have nailed it. There's just too much money in guns for drugs for the Government and detox and treatment for Big Pharma to stop the flow of heroin. It also reduces the population that is on welfare and food stamps, so it's a "Win-Win"!

Anonymous said...

8:21 Your thinking is disgusting.

Anonymous said...

9:47 Go vote for your hero Clinton. Free will, live with the consequences. Let the losers die. Spend the money on better things. Anyone who uses heroin is an idiot knowing that it is addictive and destroys lives. For over 70 years people have known the consequences of heroin use. Time to quit wasting resources let the idiots use it and die. Matter of fact let's make sure the really strong stuff gets used to get rid of them quicker. Out of all heroin users what percentage have ever totally gotten off the stuff and lived productive lives. Less than 1%.