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Local News

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Injecting drugs is the final stage of addiction
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By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

Heroin addicts don't always pump the drug into their bodies with a syringe.

In fact, many addicts start out snorting the drug and graduate to injections to get a quicker, more intense high, according to Angy Shaferly, a registered nurse at Anhedonia, an opiate addiction treatment center in Findlay.

"It goes directly into their veins and right to their head. It's kind of an instantaneous thing," she said.

"They can get more bang for their buck, basically," she said.

Pain pill addicts usually start out swallowing the drugs. Next, they start chewing them, and then move up to crushing them and snorting them.

The final stage is when they inject the pills into their bloodstream using a syringe. They cook the pills using a lighter or torch and a spoon, for example, and then load up the syringe.

The user will tie off their arm in order to more effectively shoot the drug into a vein, she said.

"A lot of times, if they are doing it themselves, they will use a belt," and will cut new holes in the belt to tighten it around their arm, she said.

Eventually, using needles and snorting drugs becomes a ritual.

"That is a struggle for these people when they get sober," Shaferly said.

"They miss that habitual process," she said. "They do it so many times a day, it becomes ingrained in their heads."

There are several types of heroin, but the most commonly used here is "brown powder" heroin, according to Findlay police Sgt. Jim Mathias.

Brown powder heroin has the consistency of brown sugar, he said. Sometimes, it comes in a chunked form and is referred to as "dog food."

Another type of heroin is "black tar."

It has a darker color and Mathias described it as a sticky substance, comparable to the consistency of freshly-poured asphalt.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Jeanne wrote:
Terri - So REPORT HIM!!!!!
“ AN INFORMANT IS NOT IMMUNE FROM BEING PROSECUTED - TALK TO THE POLICE...There may be more to the situation than appears! ”
Friday, July 30, 2010 10:05:03 AM
R wrote:
terri
“ That is business as usual here in Findlay Ohio! ”
Friday, July 30, 2010 9:20:01 AM
terri wrote:
addiction series
“ heres another one to those that really care!! a known drug dealer gets into trouble, he plea bargins with our prosecutor, he becomes an informent, he busted two other known heroin dealers ,they are sentenced. this man is still on our streets ,still selling his heroin!!! where is our system, now???? ”
Thursday, July 29, 2010 4:09:47 PM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
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JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
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Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
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Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
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Unqualified reassurance
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Nate
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Research
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.