Prescription Drug & Opiate Abuse by Youth

1. Prescription Drug & Opiate Abuse by Youth Lt. George T. Rouhib Jr. Fraser Department of Public Safety September 16, 2010

2. Past • Kids were experimenting with marijuana, alcohol, inhalants, and tobacco products. • There was a stigma regarding heroin use. • Deaths involving drug overdoses were limited.

3. Present • Today, prescription drugs are part of our society. • Because of this, our youth are more exposed to pills and are not afraid to experiment. It is accepted behavior. • Many start abusing their own medications including Ritalin, Adderall, and other prescribed drugs.

4. Present • Peer pressure has increased-Risk taking-fearless. • Snorting Pills • Many children suffer from depression and low self esteem that results in drug use. • The most common prescription drugs that are being abused are Vicodin, Oxycontin, Lortab, Suboxone, and Xanax.

5. Heroin • The use of prescription drugs that are opiate based are linked to heroin use and addiction. • Our youth are ignorant when it comes to drug abuse. • They are unaware of purity levels, addiction propensity, changes in their physical demeanor, and the fact that when other drugs such as fentanyl are mixed with heroin, it can be a deadly combination.

6. Why Heroin? • Cheap ($5 for a bindle-Cheaper than a six pack of beer). • Readily Available (Networking) • Purity Levels (Greater today than it was years ago). • It is first introduced to them in the powder form. • Instant “rush” when injected.

7. USE • Many youths will first begin to snort heroin. • Once they build a tolerance level, they will inject it. Typically they will obtain syringes from their local drug dealer or will purchase them at the corner store.

8. Transportation • Use their vehicle or their parents. • Today, many are using the bus as a means of transportation. By using the bus, minimizes the chance of being stopped by the police, operating while under the influence of drugs, and the possibility of having their vehicle seized. • Drug dealers are using the bus and meeting kids at the mall.

9. Operation Smack Down • Why created? • Operation Smack Down was a multi-jurisdictional effort to reduce the number of drug traffickers and users that are involved in the sales and possession of heroin. The members consisted of law enforcement officers from the federal, state, and local levels.

10. Operation Smack Down • It took approximately six weeks to gather intelligence on the heroin traffickers. This was done by surveillance and controlled heroin buys. • In 2007 and 2009 over 150 law enforcement officers participated in the three day task force.

11. Results of SmackDown From the three day event in 2007 and 2009, the following transpired: Arrests: 230 Search Warrants: 37 Vehicles Seized: 108 Heroin Seized: 137 grams-685 packets Many other drugs were confiscated

12. 2009 Statistics • 76 individuals were arrested from the following communities. • Algonac, Centerline, Chesterfield Twp., Clinton Twp., Commerce Twp., Eastpointe, Fraser, Harper Woods, Harrison Twp., Macomb Twp., Mt. Clemens, Richmond, Rochester Hills, Roseville, Royal Oak, Shelby Twp., St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica, Warren, and Washington Twp.

13. 2009 Stats • Males Arrested: 59 • Females Arrested: 17

14. Smack Down-Unusual Circumstances • Several youths were purchasing heroin, and pulling over on the freeway to inject it. • Several individuals drove to fast food restaurants and injected in the bathrooms. • A professor, nurse, honor students, and youths who had scholarships were arrested. • One mother drove her son to the drug house because she had no idea what to do. • Several of them swallowed the heroin prior to being stopped by the police.

15. What We Learned • There are no boundaries to this drug. • Heroin does not discriminate • This is a national problem • Drug dealers are a lot smarter than we think. (Advertise, lookouts, constantly move their product and money) • Use abandoned homes, street corners, and juveniles to sell their product. • From the experience, approximately 95% of the time our youth are obtaining heroin from Detroit.

16. Parents Responsibilities/Red Flags • Be open with your child. Know where they are and who they are hanging out out with. • If you suspect drug abuse, do not be afraid to get immediate help. Many parents are embarrassed and will close their eyes and hoping the addiction will go away. • Look for paraphernalia that is associated with drug abuse such as syringes, orange syringe caps, burned spoons, burned bottle covers, packaging such as tin foil, lottery tickets, magazine ads.

17. Parents Responsibilities/Red Flags • Look for changes in personality, hygiene, and falling grades. • Money, other valuables, spoons, or prescription drugs missing • Unexpected arrests such as retail fraud, larceny, and home invasion. • Check for bruising on the arms

18. Non-Profit Organization that educates and supports individuals who are struggling with drug addiction issues. • Website: FamiliesAgainstNarcotics.org • Contact : 586-438-8500 or email at fan@familiesagainstnarcotics.com • Families Against Narcotics meetings – 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 34385 Garfield Road, Fraser, Michigan.

24. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Lt. George T. Rouhib Jr. (586) 294-8902 rouhibg@fraserdps.com