Heroin Epidemic in WNY - The stories of struggle, triumph and tr

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How to spot a heroin user Family uses tragedy to help fight heroin abuse 'Don't sugarcoat this,' mom says of heroin death Heroin epidemic causing a rise in prostitution The Struggles Police raise alert over deadly batch of heroin In the past 24 hours, one person overdosed and was revived with Narcan and another overdosed and died. The same packaging material for the… Mother, son busted with 970 bags of heroin A mother and her son have pleaded not guilty in Erie County Court on charges of possessing almost 1,000 bags of heroin inside their West… Suspected heroin dealer faces 20 years in prison A suspected heroin dealer is facing a potential 20 years in prison over a drug deal, that turned deadly. 5 kids found in home with 400 packages of heroin Juan Valasquez-Rodriguez, 37, and Misha Gonzalez, 34, were taken into custody around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday after their home on East 2nd Street… Buffalo woman charged with selling heroin Brittaney Ridgeway of Buffalo faces up to 20 years in prison after being charged with the distribution of heroin. Mom, son busted with 980 bags of heroin Buffalo Narcotics Squad detectives raided an apartment in the 100 block of Fifteenth Street Friday afternoon and arrested a mother and her… Heroin crisis: needles found outside of apt. A Buffalo woman has been left furious after she and her husband found two needles in front of her apartment building. Cop under investigation over alleged heroin use 7 Eyewitness News has learned the Buffalo Police Department is conducting an internal investigation into reports that an off-duty officer… Man admits selling heroin, assaulting girlfriend Angel Marcial’s third arrest came on June 30, 2014, when he kicked in the door to his girlfriend’s home. Prosecutors say he… Police: City heroin dealer sold to suburbanites Ronald Woods, 44, was taken into custody Tuesday after a raid at his home on Broadway Avenue. Deputies say he had been selling heroin the… 100 pounds of heroin hidden in car parts The parts were transported in the wide open in the back of a silver pickup truck. Dead man's note leads to heroin dealer's arrest A note found in the home of a fatal heroin overdose victim lead to the conviction of the man who peddled the dangerous drug. The Fight An holistic approach to battling heroin In a time when the drug epidemic, specifically heroin, is sweeping through Western New York, Pastor Joe Kiwiatkowski is looking to heal. Poloncarz outlines vision to battle heroin... Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz outlined his vision to battle the heroin epidemic during his annual state of the county… Assembly proposing $30M to fight heroin epidemic A proposal to set aside $30 million to fight the heroin epidemic in New York state has been announced by the state Assembly. Heroin antidote program now for small pharmacies The Health Department provides funding to Harm Reduction Coalition, a registered prevention program which will issue standing medical orders… Heroin meeting at North Park Theatre A meeting on the growing heroin/opioid abuse epidemic is being held at Buffalo's North Park Theatre Thursday night. Heroin might be the most addictive drug A 2007 study ranked heroin as one of the world's most addicting drugs. Since then, more and more Americans have used it. Mayor wants supervised heroin use site Countries across the world are dealing with the growing heroin epidemic in a controversial way, and now the mayor of nearby Ithaca wants to… Experts weigh call for NY heroin injection sites Ithaca Mayor Svante has proposed opening the nation's first supervised injection site. Mayor proposes government-funded heroin site It would be the first supervised injection facility in the U.S., but the plan has its skeptics. State Senate plans public forums on heroin abuse New York lawmakers are holding two upstate forums on heroin and opioid abuse. Mayor envisions supervised drug facility The mayor of Ithaca, New York wants his city to open a facility where people could inject heroin under the supervision of nurses. Erie County fights heroin epidemic Erie County is fighting the growing heroin epidemic in Western New York. The county's opioid task force is meeting for the first time Monday. Local News Fire damages two homes in Cheektowaga Stranger danger incident in Ken-Ton district Justice Department approves cable deal Brady suspension reinstated, won't play Bills More News Police Blotter Police: Shooting on Chippewa "targeted" Stranger danger incident in Ken-Ton district Salamanca man killed near Syracuse Guilty plea in shooting death of Buffalo woman More Police Blotter Sports Brady suspension reinstated, won't play Bills Dhane Smith talks about his new NLL record Canisius, Williamsville North grab wins Smith sets NLL scoring record in Bandits win More Sports What You Can Do Get help today, call 1-877-8-HOPENY or visit the HOPEline Get Help Now that you or a person you care about has identified the abuse or misuse of heroin or prescription opioids the next step is to get help. New York State has tools and resources to assist you, your family member or friend in getting treatment for heroin or prescription opioid abuse or misuse. Start the Conversation When a family member or friend is using substances, don’t wait—now is the time to talk. Ask the person to talk about what is going on with them and listen to them. You may find that the person is equally concerned but not sure what to do, they may be embarrassed or ashamed that they are using. Some people may minimize or deny that there is a problem. Listen to them, don’t argue, but express your concern. Let them know that substance use is a medical disorder and that there is help available. Provide support as they seek help, make the phone call together, provide a ride to the appointment and call them after the appointment to ask how it went. Express your own feelings about the effect of substance use, “I feel really upset when I think about what is happening to you.” Provide specific feedback, “I see changes in you, I feel like you have withdrawn, we used to laugh and enjoy things together and now you seem very preoccupied. I am really worried that you may overdose or may die from your substance use.” Medicated Assisted Treatment There are 3 FDA approved medications for the treatment of Opiate Dependence- Buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. [ Source ] Medicated Supported Recovery Video Other Actions You Can Take Do not be judgmental, but be firm in your expectations. Take control and make drug use more difficult. Take an inventory of the prescription drugs in your home and lock them up. If your family member or friend uses your car, you may want to take away driving privileges. If your family member or friend is using heroin or opioids chances are that they will drive high. Impaired driving is illegal, dangerous and a means to go get drugs. Consider taking away cell phones and cash. These actions might not prevent the person from using, but will make it more difficult for them to access heroin or opioids. Harm Reduction initiatives like syringe exchange and overdose prevention can address the immediate health and safety concerns faced by people who use heroin and prescription opiates. Harm Reduction For people who are not ready, willing or able to seek treatment, it is important to stay alive and safe in the meantime. Programs like syringe exchange not only help to prevent diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, but also assist with access and referral to treatment. The New York State Department of Health Directory of programs can be found here. More information here. Top Stories Trending Now Featured Sections More Local News Share A News Tip Send a Picture or Video Sports News and Bills With Joe. 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