High levels of Controlled Prescription Drug (CPD) abuse are contributing to increased heroin use.

Increased demand for, and use of, heroin is being driven by both increasing availability of heroin in the U.S. market and by some controlled prescription drug (CPD) abusers using heroin.  After the 2010 reformulation of the commonly abused prescription opioid OxyContin®, which made it difficult to inhale or inject, some people who abused OxyContin® migrated to heroin for access to a potent injectable drug. This phenomenon is contributing to the increase in heroin use in the United States.[1]

Heroin and the abuse of diverted opioid-based prescription drugs represent a significant health threat to the Louisville, KY area and its neighboring communities. In the area, there has been an increase in the availability and a decrease in the price of heroin. The abuse of heroin and opioid-based prescription drugs are strongly linked to property crime and drug-related overdose deaths in Kentucky and the Louisville area.[2] 

HEROIN ABUSE:

• The vast majority of teens do not use heroin. In a 2018 national survey, only 0.4% of 12th graders used heroin in the past year.[1] 
• 96.4 percent of 12th graders disapprove of taking heroin occasionally.[1]
• About 165,000 young people between 18 to 25 reported having a heroin use disorder in the past year.[2]

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE:

• Prescription opioid analgesics, specifically those containing oxycodone and hydrocodone, are the most common types of prescription drugs that are diverted for misuse and abused.
• Each day in the United States, over 192 people die as a result of a drug overdose.[3] 
• In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million people (aged 12 or older) reported current misuse of pain relievers.[4]  
• 53% of nonmedical users (12 years or older) reported receiving the prescription drugs they most recently used “from a friend or relative for free.”[5] 

FENTANYL

• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
• Drug deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (which includes fentanyl) increased almost 47% from 2016 to 2017.[6]

 

 

Learn More About the Science of Addiction Explore common misconceptions about opioids through the voices of teens. Go to Operation Prevention.

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¹ Source: University of Michigan, 2018 Monitoring the Future Study. View source here.

² Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, September 2018.  View source here.

³ Source: Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2013–2017. View source here.

⁴ Source: Prescription Drug Use and Misuse in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, September 2018.  View source here.

⁵ Source: Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 16 December 2016. View source here.

⁶ Source: “Fentanyl: Illicitly-made fentanyl use is on the rise." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. View source here.

 

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TRUE STORY: TRUE STORY: JORDAN COLE LUNSFORD, 22, NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA, HEROIN

After using heroin once, Jordan died. He was a good kid, a happy kid, a kid that was going through a rough moment and his bad choice and the company he kept that night was a recipe for his death. Read more.

Find Treatment

More people seek treatment for heroin use than for any other illicit drug, except marijuana.

The decline in the number of treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities for abuse of controlled prescription drugs (CPD) can likely be attributed to the increase of (CPD) abusers using heroin. Many abusers, when unable to obtain or afford CPDs, begin using heroin, a cheaper alternative that offers similar physiological effects.

Medications are available to treat heroin addiction while reducing drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms, improving the odds of achieving abstinence. There are now a variety of medications that can be tailored to a person’s recovery needs while taking into account co-occurring health conditions.  

Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), Research Report Series:  Heroin, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | National Institutes of Health

 

Find substance abuse treatment facilities in your area.  

Local/State Partners

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 

Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.

Boys and Girls Club – Kentuckiana 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana (BGCK) is an out-of-school time provider, offering a safe haven for youth who need us. We open our doors and our arms to kids ages 6-18, in a safe, positive environment. 

CBS / WLKY News

Local news station.

Centerstone 

Centerstone KY provides mental health services to people in the Louisville Metro area that help them find and reach that potential. Weather you struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, or simply need a support system, we have something to offer you.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville

The FBI’s Community Outreach Program supports the Bureau’s investigative mission by working to address multiple interrelated societal problems—including crime, drugs, gangs, terrorism, and violence.

Jefferson County Coroner 

Information about the local coroner.

Kentucky Medical Association

Established in 1851, the Kentucky Medical Association is a professional organization for physicians throughout the Commonwealth. The KMA works on behalf of physicians and the patients they serve to ensure the delivery of quality, affordable healthcare.

Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office 

The Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office provides assistance to the state’s coroners in determining the cause and manner of death and identification of the deceased. Death investigations are a cooperative effort among and between county coroners’ offices and the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Coroners and deputy coroners have the full power and authority of peace officers and they investigate the cause and manner of all deaths that are defined as coroner’s cases.

Kentucky State Police

The Kentucky State Police operates under a number of core values and principles. These are embodied in a number of codes and statements, including: the official Code of Ethics for all sworn officers; the Kentucky State Police Vision Statement; the Kentucky State Police Mission Statement; and the Kentucky State Police Goals and Objectives Statement.

Louisville Mayor’s Office 

Learn more about the goals and initiatives of the city's mayor.

Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) 

The LMPD delivers professional, effective services, fairly and ethically, to all people, in order to prevent crime, control crime, and enhance the overall quality of life for citizens and visitors. It encourages and promotes community involvement on all levels to achieve these ends.

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections  

The Louisville Metro Department of Corrections is committed to enhancing public safety by controlling and managing offenders in a safe, humane and cost-efficient manner consistent with sound correctional principles and constitutional standards. It also provides inmates with a number of program opportunities which include Substance Abuse Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Religious Programs and more. 

Louisville Metro Emergency Services  

Louisville Metro Emergency Services strives to provide high quality and compassionate emergency and non-emergency response to the citizens and visitors of the Louisville Metro and its local, state, and regional partners in order to achieve the most favorable outcomes for people, property and the environment. 

Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney 

Commonly referred to as the District Attorney in most states, the Commonwealth’s Attorney is the legal representative for the people of Kentucky and has the duty to seek justice for all. It’s goal is a criminal justice system in which all parties and participants receive or dispense fair and respectful treatment and the justice that each deserves.

University of Louisville, School of Medicine 

The University of Louisville School of Medicine is an intregral part of the Health Sciences Center ans strives to become a premier, nationally recognized research institution. It is a state-of-the-art facility where pioneering research faculty lead the way with innovative medical research. It is the home of the U of L Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District KY 

The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the District including offenses such as terrorism, child exploitation, violent crime, financial fraud, health care fraud, narcotics, human trafficking and public corruption.

The Healing Place  

The purpose of The Healing Place is to reach men and women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, provide the tools for recovery, and restore productive lives. We seek to reach men and women suffering from the disease of addiction and offer barrier-free access to our program where lives are restored. The Healing Place has become one of the nation’s most effective long-term social model recovery programs. 

Young People in Recovery (YPR) 

YPR’s mission is to provide the training and networks all individuals, families, and communities need to recover and maximize their full potential.

 

Local

(Source: LouisvilleKY.gov/Health-Wellness/Office of Addiction Services)

Beacon House Aftercare

The Beacon House provides a positive, safe, and accountable environment for men to overcome alcohol and drug addiction and learn to live a productive life.

The Brook Hospital

The Brook Hospital offers a calm and safe setting for progressive, individualized treatment for all ages. It provides mental and/or substance abuse treatment services to seniors, adults, teens, and children.

Center for Behavioral Health

The Center’s primary mission is the treatment of substance use disorders. Patient care is our top priority and we work hard to ensure that every patient receives the highest level of care and respect.

Certified Counseling Services

The recovery program offered by Certified Counseling Services is long term (24 months), tightly structured and closely supervised to minimize the risk of relapse and recidivism. The program is residential and includes a work component, recovery education classes, 12-step meetings and living on a budget.

Greater Louisville Counseling Center  

Greater Louisville Counseling Center provides quality services and support to enable individuals and families to thrive, participate in and contribute to healthy communities by providing affordable person-centered evidence based treatment. We are committed to partnering with those in need to increase mental health wellness in the community, in which we all live.   

The Healing Place

The purpose of The Healing Place is to reach men and women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, provide the tools for recovery, and restore productive lives. We seek to reach men and women suffering from the disease of addiction and offer barrier-free access to our program where lives are restored. The Healing Place has become one of the nation’s most effective long-term social model recovery programs.

Interlink Counseling Services 

ICS proudly provides a full continuum of care for its clients, which is designed to be an integrated system that will direct clients over time through a comprehensive array of mental health services spanning all levels of care intensity. ICS is a state and federally (AODE) facility that is certified to provide assessment, education, and treatment for our clients.

Jefferson Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center (JADAC) 

The focus at JADAC is on helping people accept that they or a loved one have a chronic illness and help them achieve a stable recovery. A healthy, happy and productive life for the recovering individual and his or her family is the goal of every JADAC program.

Landmark Recovery of Louisville 

Landmark Recovery of Louisville exists to provide those struggling with addiction a bridge to a brighter future. Our team of highly qualified professional will provide a comprehensive, 30-day residential treatment program catered to each patient’s individual needs, goals, and diagnoses.

Life Management Clinic 

Life Management Clinic provides a broad range of high-quality non-medical substance abuse treatment(s), mental health and spiritual counseling to those in their time of need. We continue to help youth, families, couples, and individuals who seek a brighter future. Our professional staff helps them handle the mental health and or substance abuse issue(s) that they cannot handle alone.

MORE Center 

The MORE Center provides treatment for those who struggle with addiction to drugs like heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and other drugs. Our goal is to help you with a recovery program in which you gain employment, stabilize your finances, establish positive relationships, and connect with support groups.

The Morton Center 

The Morton Center is a private, nonprofit outpatient counseling facility that offers a range of treatment services. The center provides a variety of treatment options for alcoholism and other chemical dependencies to individuals of all ages. It offers evaluation, assessment and intervention services. It provides adolescent education programs to children, and offers family evaluation and intensive outpatient programs.

New Vision for Expectant Mothers 

New Vision for Expectant Mothers offers knowledgeable, supportive staff who are skilled in caring for pregnant mothers with addiction and their babies. New Vision for Expectant Mothers is committed to helping you and your unborn baby break the cycle of addition and go on to lead healthy, productive lives.

Our Lady of Peace 

Our Lady of Peace’s Pathways to Peace programs are recovery-based focusing on individuals with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. Our dual diagnosis program offers an integrated approach to treatment. We restore hope and peace to individuals and their families by providing patient-centered treatment in a healing environment.

Right Path Drug Rehab 

Right Path helps people struggling to break the cycle of substance abuse. It practices a clinically managed detox and is a luxurious and modern sober living facility. It works hand in hand with alcohol and drug rehab facilities, clinical services, detox centers and extended outpatient programs. The staff uses a one on one counseling and a variety of programs and activities to replace substance abuse.

Robley Rex Veterans Medical Center 

The Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) provides veterans with an intensive substance abuse treatment program in a residential setting located within the medical center. This intensive psychiatric and medical treatment program is staffed by a team of substance abuse treatment specialists, providing education and rehabilitation to assist veterans in returning to independent living within the community.

St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center  

Operated in partnership with Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center (JADAC), St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center is St. Vincent de Paul’s state-licensed alcohol and drug abuse treatment facility. Case management services are provided to help residents set goals and work toward self-sufficiency. In addition to daily chores, the women work in teams to cook dinner for each other. The clients are required to work and attend recovery meetings. Those who receive disability income are required to do 20 hours of volunteer work a week.

Talbot House 

The Talbot House is a halfway house for males recovering from alcoholism and chemical dependency. The residential program stresses responsible behavior and the regaining of self-esteem. This is accomplished by a structured living arrangement where there are house duties as well as employment outside of the house and close contact with the staff.

Volunteers of America 

Volunteers of America has a long history of working with individuals and families facing substance abuse problems. We offer a complete system of care ranging from community outreach, prevention, assessment, outpatient treatment, long-term residential treatment and aftercare services. Our programs are designed to provide clinical services by licensed and trained addiction treatment professionals with a focus on recovery.

Volunteers of America: Halfway Back Program 

The Halfway Back Program has provided residential alcohol and drug treatment to men recovering from addiction and exiting a correctional facility. This program uses a Twelve Step recovery approach, and men live in the Milieu Therapy setting or six months.

Volunteers of America: Shelby Men’s Recovery Center 

The Shelby Men’s Recovery Center is designed for men facing the challenges of addiction. It provides life skills training, individual and group counseling, employment readiness and long-term housing.

Volunteers of America: Veteran’s Addiction Recovery Program  

Veteran’s Addiction Recovery Program is a residential substance abuse treatment program specifically for homeless veterans and dually-diagnosed homeless veterans which helps prepare them for successful transitions back into the community. Services include intense life-skills training, alcohol and drug abuse education and treatment, educational remediation, job skills training, and employment assistance. Staff members maintain regular contact with VA personnel to provide recovery-focused psycho-education.

 

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State

(Source: odcp.ky.gov/Pages/Treatment-Resources)

Different Faces of Substance Abuse

Different Faces is a partnership of the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Kentucky and state substance abuse prevention agencies. Its goals are: Develop and strengthen partnerships among state agencies and communities in all geographic districts in Kentucky; Improve strategies for partnership and educational delivery methods that result in minimizing and preventing substance abuse in Kentucky; and plan and implement an educational conference for community partners in the aspects of substance abuse problems.

Keep Kentucky Kids Safe

Based out of the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, Keep Kentucky Kids Safe partners travel to middle and high schools across Kentucky to warn kids about the devastating consequences of prescription drug abuse and heroin. It also urges parents to lock-up and monitor all prescriptions in the home.

KIDS NOW Plus

KIDS NOW Plus helps expectant Kentucky mothers who are at risk for using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs to reduce harm to their children from their substance use during and after pregnancy.

Oxford House

Oxford House is Kentucky’s Group Home Loan Program helps to support those who are in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. It provides for groups of 6-12 individuals in recovery to apply for a low-interest loan for up to $4,000 to help acquire rental property and turn on utilities.

Women’s Substance Abuse Services

The Division of Behavioral Health contracts with regional community mental health centers across Kentucky to provide substance abuse treatment services. Services include detox, outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential and transitional.

Recovery Kentucky

Recovery Kentucky was created to help Kentuckians recover from substance abuse, which often leads to chronic homelessness. It helps people recover from addiction and help them gain control of their lives to eventually reside in permanent housing.

 

If you want to get involved in the DEA 360 Strategy you can start by educating yourself on the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic, and then share what you have learned with your family, friends, community, neighbors, etc.

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Join a coalition or volunteer with a partnering organization. 

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Start a coalition in your community.

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Properly dispose of prescription drugs. 

If you have prescription drugs that have expired or you no longer need you can deposit them into prescription drop-off boxes located in your community.