As a transplant to Lancaster (a ‘newcomer’ having only been here about forty-five years), we always swelled with local pride when the subject turned to the Steinman Family and their Lancaster Newspapers prior to their Convention Center Debacle starting a decade ago.
Because we were pioneers on a national level in drug policy reform and harm reduction efforts, we especially appreciated their enlightened approach to related matters at a time when others were succumbed by ignorance and conformity.
Today’s editorial “Heroin’s deadly lure” once again evokes a sense of pride in our print media.
Here are three excerpts. We recommend reading the entire article.
“Heroin’s resurgence can be attributed to two key factors: Federal regulations have made it more difficult for users to obtain prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and oxycodone. And heroin is cheap.
“The National Survey on Drug Use found that the number of people who used heroin between 2002 and 2012 jumped 66 percent. The number of people addicted to the drug more than doubled during the same time.
“According to the most recent data from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the number of overdose deaths attributed to heroin rose 45 percent between 2006 and 2010. Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske attributes 100 deaths daily to heroin. Earlier this year, 23 people died from fentanyl-laced heroin in the Pittsburgh area…
“Kerlikowske and others have suggested that police be permitted to use the drug naxalone on drug overdose cases. The drug has been around for years and is a highly effective, generic, nonaddictive drug used to reverse overdoses. Experts have suggested that co-prescribing naxalone to addicts can help wean them from the drug.” …
While on the subject of responsible public education, Lancaster General Health also deserves praise for its efforts to facilitate harm reduction throughout our county under the encouragement and guidance of Alice Yoder, Director of Community Health and Wellness.
