Drugs and Deals: Heroin in Vermont

New York Times

TALLAHASSEE, FL- At the State the State Message in January Gov. Peter Shumlin spoke on matters affecting the state of Vermont. He spent nearly 30 minutes focusing on the heroin crisis and methods of treatment.

He encourages society to look at addiction as a chronic disease that can be apprehended with treatment instead of punishment and incarceration.

Gov. Peter Shumlin said, "In every corner of our state, heroin and opiate drug addiction threatens us."

Some like Alfred Hickey can completely stop using heroin, saying that it is “mind over matter.” For others it is more difficult. Temptation surrounds them in what is understood to be safe rehabilitated areas.

Stephanie Predel, a recovering addict, said, "I can get most of my drugs right at the meeting. Drug dealers go because they know they're going to get business. People are going into the bathroom to get high."

In Vermont, weekly, $2 million worth of drugs including heroin and opiates are brought into the state.

Dr. Harry L. Chen, a Vermont health commissioner said, "Nationwide more people die of drug overdoses than from motor vehicles crashes.

Since 1990 the number of deaths involving overdosing on drugs across the nation tripled.

Wayne Godfrey a Vermont state trooper said, “The quaint town of Bennington has had a rude awakening of drugs. Everyone is doing it. It’s in the high school. The kids are doing it right in school. You find Baggies in the hallway.”

Ms. Lanicia Patrice Arnwine, a licensed mental health counselor in Tallahassee, has experience in counseling adolescence who abuse substances. She noticed that the environment the child is in plays a major role in decision making. To add, at times it is a predisposition issue, being born with drugs in your system.

School, siblings, single parent home, and extracurricular activities are some of the entities she takes into account.

She has had kids explain to her that they get high to escape. They use drugs as a gateway to escape pain.

“When it comes to addiction they are not doing it to just to do it, there is a reason behind it,” she said.

A technique she uses is finding resources in the area to motivate them. For example, extracurricular activities like track and dancing can be helpful.

She provides counseling and therapy for adolescence. You get someone who is positive to get them involved.

Rita Haney is a licensed clinical social worker in the Tallahassee area. She stated that heroin, a popular drug during the Vietnam War era, seems to be taking a comeback; she does not quite understand why.

She explained that usually in teen years is when some start to experiment with drugs. They believe that at that age they can handle it. However, eventually the drug turns on them.

“There is a commonality among addicts when they find their drug of choice,” said Ms. Haney, who is a strong supporter of the Alcohol Anonymous program.

She describes AA as a spiritual program that serves as a safety net. It provides a group of support such as friends who were once in their shoes that can guide them on the right path.

The situation involving the death of Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman spoke volumes. Ms. Haney, referring back to that situation said, “Abstinence is not recovery. Recovery is not just using, it’s being able to see yourself and life differently.”