It’s become a major problem in many places – including the Roanoke Valley: the abuse of heroin and prescription opiates, sometimes fatally. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District, Tim Heaphy, outlined the issue when announcing a joint law enforcement effort in Roanoke – flanked by local police chiefs – several months ago. The issue also brought Attorney General Mark Herring to Hotel Roanoke on September 8, when he outlined a five-point action plan while addressing the Virginia Association of Police Chiefs annual conference.
“Far too many Virginians are losing loved ones to prescription drug abuse and the resurgence of cheap, potent heroin,” said Herring, who was swept into office along with fellow Democrat Gov. Terry McAuliffe in January. Herring said he put together the five-point plan after the 22-stop “Public Safety Tour” he undertook in March, stopping in localities including Roanoke to speak with law enforcement officials.
“There’s really no region in the state that is not experiencing some increase in prescription drug abuse and heroin,” said Herring, “[and] we’ve got to work with local law enforcement [agencies] like those here in Roanoke.” Herring said a “wide range of strategies” and partnering with different agencies will be needed in order to get the overdose issue “turned around.”
More education of young people to address them on the dangers of heroin and prescription drug abuse is part of the plan. “Certainly enforcement is a big piece of it, but we’ve got to do more on prevention and education,” said Herring after his keynote address. “If you can get to the kids at a younger age and help instill in them what it takes to make to good choices … we can get a [better] handle on the problem.”
Herring will also convene an executive summit on October 2, huddling with leaders from communities especially hard hit by the drug abuse problem. Herring said at three-quarters of the public safety tour meetings he held in March, deaths due to drug overdoses – from opiates like heroin – was a major concern. “You can’t casually use heroin, its too addictive,” noted Herring; “we need to get that word out. We’ve got to get a handle on it before it gets worse.”
Then on Wednesday, on the heels of the police chief conference, local law enforcement officials convened at the South County Library in Roanoke County to talk about their plans to combat the growing problem of heroin abuse in the valley. The county, Roanoke City, Salem, Vinton, Botetourt and Franklin Counties were on hand, along with federal and state law enforcement officials. Prevention groups like RAYSAC and the Prevention Council of Roanoke County were also in attendance.
Heroin addiction is a scourge that has descended on the entire Roanoke Valley – and prescription drug abuse by teens is often a gateway. That was the word from police chiefs, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, judges and organizations that battle substance abuse, at the south Roanoke County library on Wednesday.
“Heroin is cheaper than [many] illegal prescription drugs,” warned Roanoke City police Chief Chris Perkins, who notes that there is a direct heroin pipeline to Paterson, New Jersey, where single heroin “hits” can be purchased for as little as $3 a piece wholesale. Even in suburban Botetourt County – this is not an inner-city problem any longer was the point made again and again – “a quarter of our indictments now have been [for] heroin,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom.
The “young educated professional,” often a white male in their 20’s – is now the new face of the heroin user – and those often dying from an overdose, said General District Court Judge Jacqueline Talevi. A joint effort involving law enforcement, parents and the community will be needed to combat the problem said the coalition.
By Gene Marrano
