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Newshawk: Herb Couch
Webpage: http://mapinc.org/url/HmrYl8HP
Pubdate: Tue, 26 Aug 2014
Source: Courier-Journal, The (Louisville, KY)
Copyright: 2014 The Courier-Journal
Contact:
Website: http://www.courier-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: Georgia Heise
Note: Georgia Heise is the district director of Three Rivers District Health
Department in Kentucky and president of the National Association of
County and City Health Officials.
KENTUCKY LEADERS MUST CONFRONT HEROIN, OPIOID ABUSE
There is a new normal in our communities. For some children, stumbling
across used, dirty needles at the park is more common than a pick-up
game. Heroin addiction is a big disease with an even bigger negative
impact on everyone.
Kentucky has the third-highest drug overdose ranking in the United
States. Of the 722 drug overdose death fatalities autopsied in 2013,
31.9 percent were attributed to heroin, compared to 19.6 percent in
2012. The estimated cost of substance abuse in Kentucky is over $6
billion.
The numbers speak for themselves. Heroin use is everywhere. Our
employers are seeing a rise in the number of applicants that cannot
pass a drug test. Our community members are hearing about heroin
overdose deaths just as commonly as they hear about heart attacks or
cancer. And our families are being destroyed.
[Remainder snipped]
MAP posted-by: Jo-D
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