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This is a new Blog on which I intend to comment each day on a current news story about drugs or drug laws (mainly selected from mapinc.org). I hope these musings and opinions generate some good discussions, arguments, and even (I hope!) thoughts.
Pubdate: Fri, 02 Feb 2007
Source: Daily Midway Driller (CA)Copyright: 2007 Taft Midway Driller
Contact: editor@bak.rr.comWebsite: http://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3392
Author: Doug Keeler, Midway Driller Editor
HEROIN MAKES A COMEBACK
OxyContin Addicts Using Drug To Avoid Withdrawal Pain
People addicted to a powerful pain medicine are turning to an older substitute when they run out of their drug of choice. That's why local law enforcement officers are seeing an upswing in heroin use in the Taft area. Heroin is used to prevent the painful withdrawal from OxyContin the commonly used brand-name for the drug oxycodone, said Kern County Sheriff's Sgt. Martin Downs, commander of the Taft substation.
The increasing prevalence of heroin in the area was underscored in early January when deputies seized nearly an ounce of tar heroin when they conducted a probation search at a Taft home. OxyContin is a synthetic opiate used as a painkiller for the most severe pain and is often prescribed to a cancer patient.
Downs estimated there about 50 addicts in the Taft area, are using up to three tablets a day.
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One problem with the drug laws is that they try to classify drugs as either "good" or "bad". The problem is that drugs have no moral dimension; they merely are. Heroin is just another opioid, like morphine or Vicodin (hydrocodone). It can be used as a pinkiller or as a downer; and some (but far from all) of those who use it personally become addicted. However, when it was used legally, heroin was a great painkiller for those allergic to morphine. All of the opioids are virtually interchangeable.
Even nicotine, the drug to which I'm addicted, is not all evil. It is commonly used in gardens as a pesticide.
Drug regulation can never be successful if it focuses on the drugs themselves and not on the users.
One problem with the drug laws is that they try to classify drugs as either "good" or "bad". The problem is that drugs have no moral dimension; they merely are. Heroin is just another opioid, like morphine or Vicodin (hydrocodone). It can be used as a pinkiller or as a downer; and some (but far from all) of those who use it personally become addicted. However, when it was used legally, heroin was a great painkiller for those allergic to morphine. All of the opioids are virtually interchangeable.
Even nicotine, the drug to which I'm addicted, is not all evil. It is commonly used in gardens as a pesticide.
Drug regulation can never be successful if it focuses on the drugs themselves and not on the users.
posted by Buford C. Terrell @ 2:23 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Buford,
The Texas Tea Pad welcomes you to the blogsphere.
I wonder how many folks turn to heroin because they are undertreated for legitimate pain issues?
The drug war will never suceed because people like to get high. Plus, aren't wars ment to end or be won? We've done neither.
Look at little kids playing on the play ground even they are already trying to alter their reality by spinning as fast as they can on those old merry go rounds til they got dizzy and sick. Or look at all those who love rollercoasters,skydiving, bungyjumping etc. Life sucks and anything that gives you even a moment of pleasure or adrenaline rush people are going to use/do. Drugs are just another way to do this. Right now they're trying to ban cold medicine so kids won't guzzle it to get high. I'd rather smoke pot personally.No matter what actions our Orwellian govt. takes to protect us from ourselves their will always be some mad genius working on new ( and often more potent) ways to get people high. You can't save everybody, we never were meant to. If our leaders actually picked up the Constitution and the Billof Rights and READ it they'd know this! Besides George Wasgington was a huge pot smoker, it didn't seem to effect his ability to lead our county.
Dionne
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