Lethal road begins at the medicine cabinet
By Carl Hessler Jr. and Frank Otto
fotto@pottsmerc.com
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| (Photo by MetroCreativeConnection) Law enforcement officers say heroin abuse often begins with prescription drug abuse. |
Heroin, an opioid analgesic processed from morphine, has become a bitter pill for law enforcement and for the users and their families plagued by the devastating effects of its highly-addictive nature.
“We’ve often talked about the fact that if you use this kind of drug, you’re going to wind up in jail or dead. There are only two outcomes,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. “Once you’re addicted to it, once you’re on it, it is just one of the most difficult things to break away from.”
First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said heroin has become “a significant issue” in Montgomery County, and no community is immune to it. “We have seen heroin and made heroin seizures in communities like Norristown, in Pottstown, in Royersford, in Limerick … this is all over Montgomery County.” Heroin is becoming an increasing problem throughout the Philadelphia suburbs, including the most affluent areas. Police officials say recreational use of prescription drugs is leading people down a road to heroin addiction.
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Pottsgrove grads, best friends overdose seven months apart
By Brandie Kessler
bkessler@ydr.com
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| (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury) Coleen Watchorn, left, and Kathy Mackie hold a quilt that shows images of their sons. |
Both attended Pottsgrove High School; both came from good homes, with good parents, and had bright futures.
Swept up in an epidemic, they died just seven months apart, Trevor, at the age of 24 in January 2012, and Stephen, just 28, in August.
Their mothers, Kathy and Coleen, struggling to resolve the grief in their hearts, want to do whatever they can to save others.
But they worry those who need to hear their message the most will turn away.
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Neither woman ever thought her child would die of a heroin overdose.
For Trevor and Stephen, it didn’t start out that way, either.
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Heroin, It's the nastiest cheapest most deadliest addicting drug out there in my opinion. For what ever reason these young adults and kids are being drawn to it like a horse to water. I think what should be done is law enforcement put the focus on the dealers and not the addicts. What is arresting an addict really accomplishing? When the dealer is doing business as usual! My personal thoughts is that the "Dealers" be targeted and charged with selling, possession, conspiracy, harassment, intent to inflict physical harm to another. etc.!! without the dealer the addicts cannot fuel their addictions having no choice but to recovery....
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss ladies. I cant imagine the pain that you have felt and are continuing to feel. Coleen, I actually worked with you at Diamond around the year 2000..I am Lisa Futchko...I remember you talking about your family and your son and I am just so sad to see that this happened. I applaud the both of you for being brave enough to share your story, because it is so important. My prayers are with you and your families.
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