Heroin is back. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), between 2013 and 2014, the number of current heroin users went up 51%. Why the increase? People often begin using heroin when they need to find a cheaper alternative to the prescription painkillers they’re already addicted to.

The addictions can kill. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently reported drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the United States. That means drug overdoses kill more people than car crashes or guns. In 2013, more than 46,000 Americans died of a drug overdose and more than half of those people died because of heroin and prescription painkillers.

People often become addicted to painkillers after an injury. Doctors prescribe them and soon, many people rely on them to function. Often that reliance turns to addiction when people ignore the risks associated with seeking and taking the drug. They will do anything to get it, but it is sometimes too difficult and expensive to get pills. Heroin is becoming the easier alternative.

The DEA says the availability of heroin is increasing around the country, including here in Florida. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, heroin arrests more than doubled between 2014 and 2015 and heroin seizures more than tripled.

A key to fighting the heroin problem is keeping people from using it in the first place. “It’s an issue of public safety and we want people in our community to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heroin use and how it can impact families,” said Eileen LaHaie, director of the Center for Public Safety Innovation (CPSI) at St. Petersburg College. “That’s why we’re hosting a community presentation so people can learn about how easily prescription drug use can lead to heroin abuse and what we can do about it.”

The forum will be the evening of February 5 at the Allstate Center of St. Petersburg College and is co-sponsored by CPSI and the St. Petersburg Police Department.

“As a response to the re-emergence of heroin in our community, this event would play a key role in the education of our community about this critical issue,” said SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway.

Police Captain Chris Martin will present information and take questions from 7pm-9pm. Registration is free but required. To register, email or call LeeAnn Bowen at 727-344-8002.

Free childcare for children ages 5-11 is available thanks to a partnership with R’Club Child Care, Inc. Parents must arrive by 6:30 to register their children. “Because of the severity of the heroin issue in our community, we wanted to make sure childcare issues didn’t keep people from coming to this important community event,” LaHaie said. “We want people to know this growing drug epidemic could have an impact on their families.”

Heroin is Back Community Presentation

• Friday, February 5
• 7-9 pm
• SPC Allstate Campus 3200 34^th S. St. Petersburg 33711
• Free childcare available
• Register by email or call LeeAnn Bowen at 727-344-8002.
• You can also register by filling out this short survey.
• Learn heroin history, trends, signs of use, impact on families, cost to society