Police confirm 2nd Washtenaw County death stemming from last week's heroin overdoses
Ypsilanti police confirmed Washtenaw County's second recent death involving heroin, stemming from last week’s string of overdoses.
File photo of heroin bindles.
Courtesy of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts said Wednesday a 30-year-old man was taken off life support Saturday, two days after he was transported to the hospital. Eberts said the man had heroin and a “high level of alcohol” in his system at the time of his death.
“His cause of death is pending; we’re waiting on the toxicology reports,” Ebert said.
Huron Valley Ambulance officials said the man was taken in critical condition at 1:08 a.m. Thursday to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was taken off life support on Saturday, Eberts said.
Police and medical officials said eight people were treated for heroin overdoses, or heroin-related conditions, on Thursday and Friday. Saline police previously reported a 27-year-old man died at a Saline apartment the day after being released from rehab.
The investigation into the Saline man’s death continues, but police believe he died of a heroin overdose. Drug paraphernalia was found following his death.
Toxicology reports are being done on the bodies of both men. The reports typically tend to take weeks to complete.
In the last few years, heroin has become a growing problem in Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan. The drug’s low price makes it a cheap alternative to prescription opiates, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Officials say heroin addicts usually become addicted to prescription pills before seeking a cheaper alternative.
Medical and police officials reported overdoses in Ann Arbor, Saline, Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township on Thursday and Friday. Officials said eight heroin overdoses in two days was an extremely rare occurrence.
Eberts said there’s been talk in police circles recently about an increasing drug problem in the Downriver area that might be stretching into Washtenaw County.
“There’s some stuff going around that they have a big problem Downriver with some overdoses,” he said. “The stuff’s just nasty to begin with.”
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
I just wanted to chime in here and say that it slightly disturbs me that a story about a man's death from a heroin overdose - the second such story in as many days - once again becomes a debate about whether marijuana is a gateway drug. My humble opinion is that this debate is totally missing the point and really seems insensitive to me. The story doesn't mention marijuana once. I don't see why the idea of gateway drugs needs to be debated when there's clearly a heroin problem here in our area. I don't think this comment section is the place for either anti-marijuana or pro-marijuana commenters to make political points.
sheepyd
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
I can't believe the amount of nonsense people are posting here, of course addiction is the addicts fault. That doesn't mean an overdose is any less sad or that they some how deserved it. Even if you are pre-disposed to addiction or your brain is wired weird, family history etc... You still chose to take heroin, and for most of the heroin addicts out there, they chose to feed their addiction by stealing. That is the real epidemic and something this article should have touched on. I have been in homes of heroin addicts that would make horders look like a 5 star hotel, garbage piled everywhere, uncapped needles, tie off bands, pet feces, human feces etc... So many heroin addicts are incapable of holding down regular employment and the withdraws are so terrible they will literally do anything and I mean anything for that next fix. A heroin addict will sell themselves, their possessions, steal and do anything. It is by far the most destructive drug in our community; any person who knowingly puts this garbage in their body has decided with that first injection that they may become a filty zombie criminal. That is their fault.
Diane Wellday
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:22 a.m.
I feel for the families who lose their loved ones to drugs.
Paul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 5:02 a.m.
Why can't the USA have safe injection sites like Canada has ? Over there the people have a right to have a clean safe place to inject their drugs. Not kidding, it was upheld by the top court and cities like London soon will join Vancouver in having a clean safe place addicts can go to safely use drugs such as heroin. You know the crime rate in lower also up in Canada, hmmm.
Tim Hornton
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:20 a.m.
You pay for it then and don't make this a tax dollar thing and I wouldn't really care who goes and gets high their. Just like Bars are "clean safe place". To get drunk.
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
Condolences to the families who have been affected by this rash of deaths. I hope we can shift more resources towards treating drug abuse as a health problem. Having lived in the downtown Ann Arbor area for 24 years, I've seen lots of lives lost to this. These addicted folks need as much support and understanding as possible. It can be difficult to practice compassion when people make bad decisions, but ultimately we have to. Every life is worth trying to help.
whale11
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:58 a.m.
Drug addiction was made a medical, not criminal, problem in Portugal about five years ago. No increase in drug use, and a lot less spent on prisons. If marijuana is a gateway drug, then half of young people today would be using hard drugs.
Paul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 4:55 a.m.
Alcohol and tobacco are the real gateway drugs.
DitchDoctor
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:32 a.m.
Acetyl-fentanyl cut with heroin.. This is going to cause a huge overdose outbreak similar to that which occurred a few years back when those deaths occurred from the fentanyl/heroin mix that was coming out of Detroit..
music to my ear
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.
I know of a family who lost a young adult to that batch back in 2006, at a certain age you cannot follow them around all day .
Blue Marker
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:06 a.m.
That was 2006. I know because me friend lost a son. It was largly swept under the rug at first because Detroit was about to host the Super Bowl and didn't want the bad press. I really hope this isn't what's going on this time.
trespass
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:09 a.m.
Before authorities write this off as a coincidence, perhaps they should find out if there is a common factor, such as a source of unusually strong heroin. That would be a public health problem that would be worth warning addicts about.
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:07 a.m.
Names of the deceased?
734living
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
Honest Abe - you sound dumb, Why would you care what the names of the deceased are? you clearly stated in the above comment "its hard to feel sorry for these individuals". Once you find out what the names of the deceased are would the name change your view?
music to my ear
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:07 a.m.
if you look at the funeral home website in saline roberson bahmiller, his ob is there his funeral is fri and just read about him it is very sad he was so young and had his whole life ahead of him.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
Or, while the reason for the cause of death is publicly debated and judgements are made by the public, the family can be allowed to have as much privacy as is possible in their grief. A name isn't necessary on here.
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:03 a.m.
It's kinda hard to feel sorry for these individuals. I know that may sound harsh, but nobody held a gun to their head and said 'do the heroin or else'.
734living
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.
Honest Abe - I believe the original article was to make the public aware of the growing problem in the community. It is irrelevant to state "its hard to feel sorry for these individuals". The article was not asking for your sympathy, plus it shouldn't matter what the cause of death is, it takes a toll on the family and friends of the deceased.
Paul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 4:58 a.m.
Maybe the drugs they got were not pure enough or were cut with dangerous other drugs they did not know about. Maybe if we had safe injection sites like Canada has, there be less deaths. Why can't doctors and nurses help these addicts before more lives are lost ?
jpala21
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:53 a.m.
Ever since we're 10 years old all we hear about is how bad drugs are, can't feel sorry for someone who still decides to do it, knowing the risks
734living
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
jpala21 - just like i said to honestabe in the last comment - I believe the original article was to make the public aware of the growing problem in the community. It is irrelevant to state "its hard to feel sorry for these individuals". The article was not asking for your sympathy, plus it shouldn't matter what the cause of death is, it takes a toll on the family and friends of the deceased regardless of what the cause of death is.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:08 a.m.
I can feel sorry for those who use drugs to self-medicate for things others who have had different life experiences wouldn't understand. Yet, there are choices involved and help is available. Maybe somebody could post links for those who need help and can't afford to pay the standard costs? I know Dawn Farm is one.
charis
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:51 a.m.
Except for those of you who posted that have been in addiction treatment or worked there, you are all making extremely uneducated statements. Yes, the original choice to try a drug is not a good one, but there are some people who are "hooked" from the first drink, first puff, first use. These people have a scientifically proven genetic disposition for addiction (and, no not everyone has parents who have taught them this or knew it them selves). Addicts volunteer for brain scan right here at U Hospital to see how their brains function when high and these scans are compared to a control group of non-users. Addicts brains function differently. The choice addicts make is to NOT use even when their body is telling them they must do so and it's a lot harder than going on a diet. Addiction is a lot more complicated than what I have described, but if you think using is a simple choice than you just plain do not know how human bodies, brains and minds work. Try reading "A Beautiful Boy." and "Clean," by David Scheff a journalist whose son was addicted and in "Clean" puts forth all of the latest research on avoiding addiction and staying sober if you are an addict. I am the proud Mother of a son who has been sober for 24 years and another 5 years. I know how hard the road has been and the difficulties they have surmounted.
ac10award
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
This is the best stated, most accurate message of the entire discussion so far. You just needed to list your qualifications as a mother who experienced this up front in your response. Congratulations for what you and your children have survived. I am curious... What is your stand on increased availability of marijuana to the public?
cleaner6655
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:44 p.m.
ac10award your statement is stupid. Take a good long look at the prescription drugs that these kids get from the family medicine cabinet. It is very easy to always go to marijuana because that's what has always been. but don't you think that after all the years of blaming marijuana and nothing has changed it's time to look into something else to blame. I know a lot of people who smoke weed and have never tried anything else, I also know a lot of people who drink alcohol and have tried many other drugs. just sayin
Messa
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
A quote from the article.......Using a nationally representative sample from the University of Michigan's annual Monitoring the Future survey, the study blasts holes in drug war orthodoxy wide enough to drive a truck through, definitively proving that marijuana use is not the primary indicator of whether a person will move on to more dangerous substances.
Messa
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
Ann23, this is why. You've been saying on this post and others you want evidence. Well, here you go. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/05/study-the-gateway-drug-is-alcohol-not-marijuana/
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:11 a.m.
I'm not pretending to speak-up for him. I'm stating what is known as fact by some of those who knew him and speaking-up when it comes to known marijuana use. And for parents whose children are just getting to the point where it is a threat to their children. Unfortunately, the facts are that he died with Heroin and a high amount of alcohol in his system. I don't see how stating that he used Marijuana in high school is in any way slandering him in retrospect. Unless you think using marijuana is somehow worse.
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3 a.m.
Ann23: you're not speaking up for him. You're making allegations in a public forum about his character and/ or behaviors that are tantamount to gossip.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.
And, I can guarantee you that while speaking-up for the sake of others, I am very careful to not violate those who trust in me. Otherwise, I could have put an end to your insinuations a while ago. And, I think I should stop now before I do.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
Especially since our community has lost 3 graduates and classmates in the past week alone.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:16 a.m.
Dancinginmysoul, his name hasn't been released to the media. That means nothing to the network of those who knew him.
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:08 a.m.
Ann23: his name hasn't been released so if you know who this man is, and know this very specific and detailed piece of information, you are violating someone's trust. And you should know what HIPPA is.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:44 a.m.
Messa, I'm not quite seeing how that would exclude his use of marijuana in high school.
Messa
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:35 a.m.
Notice, Ann23, it says heroin and a high level of alcohol, not marijuana. Alcohol........Eberts said the man had heroin and a "high level of alcohol" in his system at the time of his death.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.
I don't know much about HIPPA or FERPA but I do know people who played a sport with him at our high school. And, I know how some of my other schoolmates died. It is tragic and I know how such a loss can devastate family and friends. They have my deepest condolences on the loss of this young man. Those who knew him are grieving. Knowledge can help keep others from going through the same grief.
Peter
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.
Ann23, anecdotes are not data. The reality of the situation, measured objectively, is that marijuana is not a gateway drug.
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:17 a.m.
Ann23: how could you possibly know that for sure without violating HIPPA or FERPA or his families confidence?
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:04 a.m.
Except, the young man who died did start with smoking marijuana in high school. As did others from the same high school who also died from drug overdoses.
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:56 p.m.
Notice how these "bat batches killing people" thing doesn't happen with drugs that have regulation and quality control from the FDA--even drugs like OxyContin that are just as dangerous and addictive as heroin. We blame drugs for problems that are really caused by drug prohibition (just like bad alcohol made many people go blind during the 1920s).
Ypsituckyguy
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:15 p.m.
...of this sort. Wish they had an option to edit your own comments.
Ypsituckyguy
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
Angry- Do yourself a favor and read up on the subject before making any more comments of this source. I suggest starting with a simple google search of pharmaceutical class action law suits. I could name a bunch of FDA aproved drugs that have killed people, while using as perscribed by a doctor, but then I'd probably get deleated. Just start there. And then do a search on how many people die every year while abusing opiode FDA approved painkillers every year, and you will see that your statement is not based in reality.
Basic Bob
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:53 a.m.
@jcj, No one is advocating to legalize heroin, publicly or privately. But we need to focus on the larger problem, which is based on a false belief that legal opioids are somehow safe because a guy in a white shirt and tie gives it to you. Fix this problem and the number of heroin users might also go down.
jcj
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:22 a.m.
Angry So if heroine was legal we would not have problems? I beg to differ! Maybe there would not be "bad batches" but anyone that thinks legalizing heroine is the right thing has their head somewhere other than reality.
Peter
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:27 a.m.
If you want to do that comparison you'll need to show it per capita, not in terms of absolute numbers.
a2citizen
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:03 p.m.
There are approximately 2,000 heroin overdose deaths per year - a number that has remained steady since 1999. There are approximately 22,000 overdose deaths per year from oxycontin, hydrocodone and methadone - a number that has increased over 15,000 since 1999. www.cdc.gov Peruse the data.
dancinginmysoul
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
yeah except for those steroid shots. to just name one.
mady
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:30 p.m.
Um.........."bindles?"
mady
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:55 p.m.
Kyle, I stand corrected. thanks for the heads-up. Oops!
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
Yep, that's what they're called. Heroin wrapped in paper.
dancinginmysoul
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:07 p.m.
ac10award: The concept of marijuana as a "gateway drug" has been largely discredited in the literature, in part because it was realized that such a large percentage of the population at large has tried marijuana at least once. Moreover, marijuana initially began being called a gateway drug simply because everybody being sampled had tried (or "started" with) marijuana. It's the most accessible and inexpensive "drug" available (or it was until the bath salts and synthetics came along). This is not a real phenomenon. There's no evidence to suggest people who smoke marijuana are more or less likely to use heroin. Your claim is ridiculous. If you're concerned about the drugs that generally lead to heroin use, they tend to be prescription pain medication.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
Except, that last link isn't one I found. I accidentally pasted in the wrong link after looking at the one Messa posted below. Here is another one but, it only summarizes the study http://www.jsad.com/jsad/article/The_Shifting_Importance_of_Alcohol_and_Marijuana_as_Gateway_Substances_amon/2059.html
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
As a mother whose children are getting to the age where drug use is a concern, a good knowledge and understanding of this issue is important to me. Especially as I hear about those from my community dying from drug use. Here is what I found by Googling it. http://www.psmag.com/blogs/news-blog/up-in-smoke-52247/ http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Yale-study-Marijuana-may-really-be-gateway-drug-3805532.php http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/05/study-the-gateway-drug-is-alcohol-not-marijuana/
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
I am not a clinician. And I never once, in any of my comments, suggested that marijuana is a way to "handle things." I am simply stating there is no correlation between a person smoking marijuana and his or her probability of transitioning to heroin. In fact, I haven't stated my personal opinion at all about marijuana use. When I refer to the literature I am referring to the research presented in peer reviewed journals which guides evidence based practice.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.
Dancinginmysoul, are you really a practicing therapist who thinks the use of Marijuana in an acceptable way of handling things?
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:01 a.m.
Which literature, specifically?
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:55 a.m.
It's generally accepted within the research community, ergo the literature. I'll trust my MSSW and my experience. Try google.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:38 a.m.
Sources?
dancinginmysoul
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:15 a.m.
My comment is in response to ac10award post. Fine, there is no evidence to suggest people who use marijuana everyday all day long have a higher incident of transitioning to heroin. There's no evidence that people who smoke marijuana everyday all day long transition to anything other then a ginormous bowl of cereal and cartoon reruns. I'm kidding on that. But I know several people who are regular marijuana smokers and they function in society like everybody else. In the early 90s prescription drugs were not nearly as prevalent as they are now. To try and compare the micro and macro landscape now to 20 years ago is ludicrous. 20 years ago we didn't have cell phones. 20 years before that we only had rotary style phones.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 1:02 a.m.
The prescription pain medication problem was not nearly as prevalent as marijuana use and not even a significantly recognized concern in my high school in the 90's.
Ann23
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:45 a.m.
Your point seems to focus on those who try Marijuana, not on those who use it regularly for an extended period of time.
BhavanaJagat
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:41 p.m.
Whole Dude - Whole Theory : In the past, I had lived in areas where Opium Poppy is grown and had never encountered the problem of sudden death due to overdose. The reason was, mostly people used the crude extract which causes problems over a period of time. Heroin is a big danger and more so if other chemicals are added to it to increase the drug potency. I had worked as a Drug Abuse Prevention Officer, but was only dealing with military personnel. It was very easy to control as it includes the concepts of motivation, training, and discipline. It is not wrong to suggest that people in general should plan to live disciplined lives. It is not about regimentation, or taking away freedom. Every man has the intrinsic ability to take control of his own life, and use self-restraint, self-control, and self-discipline. My theory is that our health care policy is not based upon sound principles and it has no real plan to introduce the concept of self-discipline as a preventive tool.
a2citizen
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
According to 1999 CDC statistics heroin overdoses have remained constant at about 2,000 per year while total drug overdoses have increased from 16k to 38k. Since then deaths due to prescription drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and methadone have increased from a few thousand to 22,000. Obviously, moving drugs from law enforcement to public health is not the answer if the increase in OD's comes from prescription drugs. The www.cdc.gov has a wealth of statistics on drug overdoses and no matter how you spin the numbers they are not good for opiates.
Basic Bob
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:40 a.m.
As long as medical professionals profit from writing prescriptions and dismiss the casualties as a law enforcement issue, the problem will continue unabated.
Bertha Venation
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
I have a feeling nobody "chooses" to be an addict of any kind.
Cash
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
Bertha, I agree with you. Chemical dependency is no more a choice than cancer is a choice. Talk to anyone who works with recovering addicts and they will tell you that. Addicts are not WEAK and do not choose to be addicts. They are compelled and we have little understanding of the brain and addiction. We'd rather just spew out judgement. An addict is anyone who says they will just take one drink, one hit, etc....as many other do. And they might be able to do that once or twice..... However soon they will NOT be able to stop after one. That doesn't mean they have to keep using. But it does mean they will need some life altering event to cause them to quit. It's deadly.
Basic Bob
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.
In many cases, people are trained to be addicts by their parents. They grow up and know no other way. Everything I needed to know about being an addict I learned from alcoholics. Fortunately I did not pass these skills on to my children.
Chase Ingersoll
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 11:39 p.m.
we don't choose to be an addict, but we choose whether or not to get honest and get help
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
Bertha, do people choose to drive drunk or are they compelled by some unseen force? Because its not a whole lot different.... a choice.
music to my ear
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
honestly putting a needle in your arm is the dumbest thing anyone can do all it takes is one time, one time. and I consider that a choice go get a beer go smoke some pot but to mess with that sh dont go there
Steve
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:51 p.m.
Drugs need to be classified by the effect of WITHDRAWAL not whether people think they're going to be a "gateway drug." If gateway was the issue make Alcohol illegal.. It's the withdrawal effect that leads people to do desperate things... and this is how drugs should be categorized... These people aren't criminals.. Addiction is a health problems and addicts need to be treated as people with health problems instead of as criminals... There is a difference between Robbing a bank and "home invasion" vs. shooting yourself with a needle filled with heroin.... You guys can see this right?
ac10award
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 11:42 p.m.
Hi Craig, Unfortunately we both know people who have suffered addictions. We wouldn't feel strongly about it without having seen it. I think it to be less of a choice and more of a compulsion (Sorry to emphasize here) for SOME. Your experiences are consistent in the description of those who never advance to addiction, and of some that did. But was it really by free choice for those in the advanced stages, and was it a slippery slope that got them there? Not considering regulated medicinal use, is it worth the sacrifice of 10% of those who become addicts so 90% can have recreational escape? Thanks for the discussion, I appreciate your thoughts.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:58 p.m.
people volunteer for addiction when they make a choice to use highly addictive drugs. I've known people who made that choice and I've known people who made the choice to NOT go down that road. Many of those folks on both sides of the choice knew one another.
ac10award
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:05 p.m.
Directed to Craig Lounsbury, No one volunteers for addiction knowing ahead of time what that entails, so one chooses heroin unaware of addictive properties. OK, how does heroin use start? I submit that it starts by choosing innocent casual escape. And as drug tolerance makes escape increasingly difficult, more potent drugs are required to make the final escape...death.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
what I see is that when a person has a "health problem" he volunteered for, that causes him to rob people, homes and business, that person is a criminal with a "health problem" . Nobody in today's world can be so stupid as to not know the addictive nature of heroin.
jcj
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:01 p.m.
How many of those doing the "home invasion" are shooting themselves with a needle filled with heroin?
Sam S Smith
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.
Special thoughts and prayers for this young man, his family and friends!
ac10award
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
I just got finished reading comments the article "Ken Braun: Sand is shifting out from underneath drug warriors like Attorney General Bill Schuette" (below this one) where all they considered is the supply/demand economics of marijuana with regard to legalization. Not a word about when this leads to usage of more potent drugs and heroin. Yes admit it. No thought given to the tremendous destruction and suffering caused by their increased availability and casual usage, just a matter of who makes the blood money.
An Arborigine
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
Attorney General Bill Schuette="drug warrior"? More like misdirected zealot!
Basic Bob
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 3:24 a.m.
The real gateway is prescription opioids that account for 90% of the opiate problem in this country. When the Vicodin/Lortab/Oxycodone gets too expensive, those who have developed physical dependency resort to heroin and crime, bypassing all of the relatively harmless illicit drugs. Medical marijuana is a valid alternative to prescription opioids because it does not cause physical dependency and lead to heroin. It is far less devastating to the user, the community, and society at large than legal alcohol and pills.
Jon Saalberg
Thu, Jun 13, 2013 : 12:36 a.m.
Your premise is not supported by reality. Marijuana is not a gateway drug.
Messa
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:30 p.m.
Officials say heroin addicts usually become addicted to prescription pills before seeking a cheaper alternative....... They say themselves, it's prescription drugs that are the so called gateway drug, NOT marijuana. You want to know who the pusher man is? Just look to your friendly doctor.
mady
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
Here we go again. I smoked(past tense!)pot for many years and NOT ONCE was I tempted to use anything else!
dancinginmysoul
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 9:09 p.m.
marijuana use and heroin use are mutually exclusive.
ac10award
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
I didn't expect my comment to be popular with persons who enjoy dueling in the various logic that would make their drugs more available and cheaper for them. For a percentage of users, the easy availability to drugs provides a gateway to the harder drugs that unavoidably kill. Gateway or not, a lot of good people are dying and evil persons profit. For anyone to do this, government or dealers, is murderous.
Billy
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 7:37 p.m.
"Not a word about when this leads to usage of more potent drugs and heroin." Oops....did you try to make the "gateway drug" argument? Tsk tsk...