HEROIN - DEVASTATING TO ABUSERS AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE

Recently many articles regarding the use of heroin have been featured in
your paper. Most recently was the article about Vancouver, British
Columbia, and its heroin problems. How absolute sickening to read that
Vancouver is creating "safe zones" for heroin users. As a veteran emergency
room registered nurse, former policeman and paramedic over the last 30
years, I can't think of anything that can compare to the devastating
effects of heroin on society.

Heroin literally takes and owns the souls of those who tragically walk down
its ghoulish road. Heroin abusers are the ultimate parasites on society,
and the tragedy is the pitifully low chance of recovery and the cost to
society.

Heroin abusers cost society an unimaginable price in so many ways. When you
think of that cost:

- - Heroin devastates the life and soul of its users.

- - Heroin costs society billions of dollars.

- - Heroin users destroy their families, i.e. lying, stealing, manipulating,
divorces.

- - Heroin users clog the criminal justice system because of their varied crimes.

- - Heroin users clog the medical system.

- - Heroin users are a danger to the public as a high percentage carry
hepatitis, and the AIDS virus, both often are passed on to mothers and
newborn children.

- - Heroin users are dangerous to police, and especially medical personnel
because of the diseases they carry.

- - Heroin users burden the social and psychiatry services.

- - Heroin takes potential productive people from the workplace.

- - Heroin is devastating to the people of the world.

I find little joy in caring for heroin abusers and quite frankly it's
rather a hopeless feeling in doing so, as I feel I am doing little good, I
have only pity for these very, very unfortunate souls.

What then is the answer? I am not sure there is one as long as the demand
is there and heroin is available. Perhaps the only answer is education as
not much else works. To create "safe zones," such as in Canada, I think is
just a quick fix, and does nothing more that condone the use of heroin. I
don't feel the government has interest in curbing smuggling from the Orient
as the manpower is not budgeted for and drug money is lining the pockets of
governmental officials.

On one day recently, five victims died in Bellingham. Perhaps they are
better off as, based on what I have seen in my years dealing with heroin
users, they have just avoided living hell.

Ron Sapp, RN
Mukilteo, WA