POLICE: HEROIN USE UP

Drug use, including heroin abuse, is on the rise in Beloit, according to
Beloit Police Capt. Bill Tyler.

"Anytime the economy takes a downturn, those who are most vulnerable
become more vulnerable," Tyler said.

* In 2008, the Beloit Police Department recovered 30 pounds of marijuana,
500 grams of cocaine and 32 grams of heroin, according to Beloit Police
Sgt. Dan Tilley, supervisor of the Drug and Gang Unit.

Although heroin use is still lower than other drug use, Tilley said the
drug's impact is strong.

In 2008, for example, there was one heroin overdose that resulted in a
death in Beloit. Police were also made aware of several other heroin
overdoses during the year.

"We see more overdoses and medical problems with heroin," Tilley said.
"There are many more cocaine users, but we don't see cocaine overdoses in
the same rates that we see in heroin users."

Heroin can be injected, snorted or smoked. It's highly addictive and made
from morphine, a substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium
poppy plant, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Although crack cocaine and marijuana typically have been the most used
drugs in Beloit, Tyler said heroin has been making its presence known for
the past 12-18 months. Although the people who use it are from all ethnic,
racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, heroin use has been more common
among those white and young. It typically isn't affiliated with gangs,
unlike marijuana.

"A lot of users are picking up drugs in the Rockford area and coming back
to Beloit," Tyler said.

In 2008, the Beloit Police made a total of six heroin related arrests and
in 2007, had seven heroin related arrests.

Although the number of arrests aren't that high, Tilley said police are
recovering more evidence of heroin, and talking to more people who said
they have tried it.

Heroin can be particularly dangerous to users. Because 80-90 percent of
the world's heroin supply comes from Afghanistan, it usually has been
through a number of different smuggling operations by the time it reaches
Beloit. Often sleeping medication or even Drano will be mixed with heroin.

Chronic heroin users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart
lining and valves, abscesses, and liver or kidney disease. Pulmonary
complications, including pneumonia, may also hurt users, according to the
NIDA.

Heroin abuse is associated with serious health conditions, including fatal
overdose, spontaneous abortion, and infectious diseases, including
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Tilley said some addicts don't destroy or properly
dispose of their needles and they can end up on lawns or in parks where
they could contaminate others.

"We went to a house this year where we found thousands of needles in the
house. It makes it dangerous for anyone who goes in the home, including
the officers who investigate the crime," Tilley said.

Behavioral therapies and treatments, including medications, can help
addicts stop abusing heroin. Because some addicts can have serious medical
conditions while withdrawing from the drug, medical attention is often
necessary.

With a downturn in the economy, however, Tyler said there are less public
funds for people to use when trying to find proper treatment. If someone
doesn't have employment, or if his or her insurance doesn't cover
treatment, it may be difficult to get help with the addiction.