The process of making heroin can
cause as many as 40 different impu-
rities including the following opiates:
codeine, morphine, papaverine, nos-
capine and thebaine.
First-time users do not understand
the consequences. Someone may just
want to try it. A “friend” may say, “Give
it a try; I’m still here.” Let this be crystal
clear—it changes brain chemistry.
Those changes can lead to instant
addiction. Many people who try her-
oin for the first time are victims of an
overdose. Since there is no way to tell
the purity and concentration of heroin,
once is all it can take.
If you notice any of the following
signs, someone you love may be ad-
dicted to heroin. This is by no means a complete list but here are
some telltale clues:
• A persistent and hacking cough
• Sudden weight loss
• A loss of appetite or no interest in eating
• Dry mouth
• Extremely small pupils
• Poor school or work performance
• Slow or uncoordinated movement
• Sleeping a lot
• Apathy
• Having hostility toward other people
• Lying
• Missing prescription pills (especially of an opiate variety)
• Missing money or valuable possessions
• Asking to borrow money often
• Rolled up dollar bills (for snorting)
• Razor blades, IDs and credit cards which have powder resi-
due on them (signs of snorting)
• Finding small paper bags that look like candy or gum wrap-
pers
• Use of slang terms or code language
Recently while doing some outside work at the funeral home,
I heard a commotion in the driveway of the Shaler Plaza. There
was a young man passed out in his car in the middle of the inter-
section. The car was running and in gear. His head was back with
his mouth open, eyes rolled back and unconscious. The car was
locked. A passer-by broke a window and unlocked the doors. The
car was put into park and shut off. The police came and adminis-
tered Narcan and he was taken to the hospital. He was not from
Allegheny County. He would be charged with DUI. The sad part
was seeing an empty child car seat in the back. Small thanks for
that. There have been too many stories in the news about people
overdosing while children are in the car.
THE EPIDEMIC IS HERE
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette recently reported that more peo-
ple charged with DUI are under the influence of drugs rather
than alcohol. Many have both. Police and state attorneys general
are trying to figure out how to effectively handle this situation.
The police, elected officials and local communities are having
this conversation by holding town hall
meetings. People realize that denying
the problem will not make it go away.
Sitting in an arrangement confer-
ence with a family who is dealing with
an overdose death is heartbreaking.
Additionally, even as fresh in their mind
as the death is, in many cases they
have already guessed when things
started. I have heard statements like, “I
should have known when…” or “I never
thought it was this bad,” or “I thought it
was just a phase.”
I am heartened by families who have
stated in the obituary that the person
who died was the victim of an over-
dose, in hopes of preventing another
family from having to go through the
same personal horror. Their strength to get the story out about
the dangers of heroin is important.
Talking about heroin addiction is hard to do. Please educate
yourself about the signs of addiction. Family members have
found small pieces of paper in a loved one’s pocket and think
that it is a candy or gum wrapper. Those pieces of paper can be
empty heroin bags.
HOW TO HELP
First of all, time is of the utmost importance. Since heroin ad-
diction is so dangerous, do not wait to discuss the issue with the
user. Early intervention may change the course. Be compassion-
ate but steadfast that the situation and his/her behavior need
to change immediately. Find a rehab facility and get the person
there at that moment if you can. There are many sources of help
for opioid addiction, such as:
• https://www.overdosefreepa.pitt.edu, which offers
basic facts, where to get naloxone and links to 72
treatment centers in Allegheny County on the Pennsyl-
vania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs site
(http://www.ddap.pa.gov)
• http://www.letsfaceheroin.com
• http://rehab-international.org
There are many more sources. The toll of drugs is anguish,
recrimination and the emptiness of so many unanswered ques-
tions as told by shocked and confused parents, a young widow
with babies and a heart ripped out from grief, and siblings won-
dering if there was anything they could have done. If you are
addicted, please get help. If someone you love is addicted, talk
with that person and try to get him/her into rehab. A life saved is
worth the effort.
This Industry Insight was written by Frank Perman,
FD, Supervisor, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CFC. He is the owner of
Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 923
Saxonburg Boulevard at Rt. 8 in Shaler Township. Mr.
Perman believes an educated consumer makes the most
personal, affordable and memorable decisions. Inquiries
may be made to him at 412.486.3600 or emailed to
[email protected].
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