heroin.jpg
It's being called an epidemic with tragic consequences. An alarming number of teens and young adults in the Puget Sound area are going from prescription pain killers to heroin as their drug of choice. (AP Photo/file)

Heroin problem in Puget Sound area getting younger

BY Ursula Reutin  on February 15, 2013 @ 7:09 am (Updated: 9:38 am - 2/15/13 )

It's being called an epidemic with tragic consequences.

An alarming number of teens and young adults in the Puget Sound area are going from prescription pain killers to heroin as their drug of choice.

"If we don't get our hands and heads around how to stop this, we're going to be losing kids left and right," says Frank Couch, the Executive Director of the Science and Management of Addictions. "In fact, we are."

Couch is also a counselor at SAMA and he says heroin use among suburban teens is rampant. "It's no longer the person of color in the alley with a needle in his arm," he says. "Now, it's the kid with the Ray-Bans on, smoking heroin in his room with his friends."

Heroin is not a new problem in Seattle. In 1998, the heroin death rate in the city soared to 144, prompting Rolling Stone magazine to label Seattle "the junkie town."

Then, for about a decade, prescriptions for opiate-based painkillers skyrocketed and pain pills surpassed heroin as the leading cause of fatal overdoses. In the last couple of years, drug makers have reformulated the pills so they can't be easily ground down to inject. In addition, stricter guidelines for doctors and increased awareness have made them harder to get. So now, heroin is making a comeback.

"The Oxy's are quite expensive [...] $90 a pill vs. $20 for a small bag of heroin," Couch explains.

About 40 percent of heroin addicts at local needle exchanges say their addiction started with prescription painkillers. Not only is the heroin today cheaper, it's more potent, and that means it's more addictive. The resurgence of the drug is evidenced by the calls coming into the King County Recovery Helpline.

"The number one drug that people are calling about in King County and many other parts of the state is heroin, followed by prescription painkillers, then maybe marijuana. That's new," says Caleb Banta-Green, a research scientist at the University of Washington's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute.

What's also new, he says, is how young the addicts are when they go into heroin treatment for the first time.

"The biggest growth we're seeing is between the 18 and 29 year olds. And that's not just in King County, that's pretty much across the state," says Banta-Green. "That's quite striking. The average age of people coming in for heroin treatment has dropped from 40 to 26, that's an enormous change over a decade."

Banta-Green says it's alarming because it foreshadows what's to come. Although the heroin overdose death rate today is about half of what it was in 1998, he says deaths are the ultimate "lagging indicator."

While treatment is available, SAMA's Director Frank Couch says there aren't enough beds or facilities for the size of the problem. Rehab is also expensive, with in-patient treatment easily costing thousands of dollars a month.

If you don't have insurance, he says your child has to "cross the line," either by getting kicked out of school or committing a drug crime and face legal charges. "If that's your access into treatment, then you've already slipped pretty far down the scale with your addiction," he says.

There are other barriers. The age of consent for drug treatment in Washington is 13 years old and the state has no lock-down facilities. Once your kid hits that age, your child has to agree to go to treatment. At any point, they can decide they no longer want to continue getting help and check themselves out.

Couch says drug addiction is a chronic, progressive illness that only gets better with regular treatment. He says it needs to become more of a priority because early education about the dangers and early intervention are critical.

"We need to do a better job at how we treat and manage this addiction because it's ruining lives of too many young people," he says. "This is our future and we need to give them a better chance."

For more information about SAMA and how to get help for a drug addiction visit samafoundation.org. Also visit stopoverdose.org for information on how to stop an opiate overdose and prevent an overdose death.

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Ursula Reutin, KIRO Radio Reporter
Ursula Reutin is the news anchor for The Dori Monson Show and has worked nearly every position in the KIRO Radio newsroom since her arrival in 1988.
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Comments (45)


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  • shark75 wrote...
    What in the world would give these little punks the idea that heroin is bad?
    February 15, 2013 6:46 am
    The goverment says drugs are okay. Cigarettes are the real evil killer...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    We lived next door to a KING COUNTY SPONSORED Heroin house
    February 15, 2013 2:55 pm
    The owner was a needle exchange drop off location. KING COUNTY gave FREE needles by the THOUSANDS, tie-off Kits, Sharps kits and medical suplies to clean and prep hitting up

    The owner of the house used to just laugh and tell me how this made his house"safe from ever getting busted" because he was "legal" to have a house full of needle freaks

    I watched this go on for over a year

    he got FREE Highs for providing a House that was a safehouse from ever getting busted to his junkie buddies

    to bad everything in the neighborhood that was not bolted down got stolen

    Great Job KING COUNTY

    the program MUST work-- It is from KING COUNTY

    What a waste of money

    Free Highs curtesy of King County Taxpayer

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Wish you'd called me
    February 15, 2013 8:25 pm
    I have match and gas can guaranteed to fix a problem like that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Free Needles or more tax dollars for public health ?
    February 17, 2013 9:25 am
    Anyone with the ability to reason would gladly give the junkies free needles in exchange for lower HIV and hepatitis cases.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    You beat me to it, again.
    February 15, 2013 7:57 am
    Indeed. We have the "leaders" of this state, including the mayor of Crazytown and the "Governor", both promoting drug use and making it not only a top priority, but putting their entire political power behind it's use. But then like I've said numerous times; a drug addled, non-thinking, gov't dependent citizenry is ESSENTIAL to the long term viability of the DimoRatic Party. Hence, the DimoRats actions on gov't approved drug use.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    Yes, all society's woes...
    February 15, 2013 8:45 am
    Are the fault of one political party. If ignorance is bliss, how do you wallow in so much senseless anger all the time?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Yes, all society's woes..Are the fault of one political party
    February 15, 2013 4:33 pm
    We agree.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    Well, Constitutionally speaking
    February 15, 2013 8:50 am
    NO drugs should be banned by the Federal Government. States should be able to regulate drugs per the 10th Amendment, but certainly NOT the Federal Government. But who wants to follow that "outdated, antiquated" piece of paper anyway right?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    I forgot; this from the party of...
    February 15, 2013 8:00 am
    "It's for the children!!!!!!" Liars...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Tyrone DeVille wrote...
    You Teabilly's Are a Riot !
    February 15, 2013 8:40 am
    Try again, Jethro!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Tyrone DeVille wrote...
    OH, BOO, HOO, HOO!
    February 15, 2013 8:39 am
    The Little Darlings have life so rough that now they must turn to heroin! How about we really help them along, and provide "hot shots" to each and every one?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    Heroin, painkillers and...... marijuana? Can't be true.
    February 15, 2013 9:02 am
    Everybody knows heroin and painkillers are not addictive, that's just a myth. Obviously the Fed's want us to believe that they're "dangerous". Just more refer madness type paranoia. Everyone should have the freedom to use it in the privacy of their own home. Users shouldn't be jailed, just taxed. That's it, it should be legallized. Then we can tax it, regulate it and controll it. That way kid's can't get it and we can use the huge revenue stream to educate our youth on how to responsibly "chase the dragon" when they become adults. Everyone also knows that legalizing leads to less use and more people making good decisions.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    scarcasim noted...
    February 15, 2013 11:14 am
    and your point is so far of the mark, it's laughable...but, not in the way you intended. you just sound ignorant.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    Oly80.....My intent WAS to sound ignorant. Like many who believe mj isn't addictive and trust polititions to manage the problem of use and abuse of by kids AND adults.
    February 16, 2013 2:11 pm
    When pot addiction is 3rd behind heroin and painkillers, we don't just vote to decriminalize but allow the State make money directly from peoples continuous usage/addiction of what is percieved to be "harmless" by those who are truly ignorant. The State want's to be your dealer. How is that going to HELP parents deter their kids as you so strongly advocate?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MmMerrifield wrote...
    just a note.
    February 18, 2013 5:20 pm
    Cannabis is not physically addictive, unlike alcohol, tobacco and opiates.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    True, but addictive none the less.
    February 18, 2013 5:51 pm
    Psychological dependence can lead to destroyed relationships, employment problems and public safety issues if used while driving. Abuse is harmful most of the time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Don't Believe the Media so much.
    February 15, 2013 9:31 am
    They are owned by the one percent that rule over this world. They are agianst Marijuana because they hate competition and say its a sin. Drugs should be Big pharm pills and alcohol. Energy should be all be a gas or electric not free from the sun. They want your kids on drugs and are the number one pusher in this world. Why did the DARE program fail. It just made kids worse. Why are we in Afghanistan where 90 percent of Heroin is grown. Why is Fluoride in youe water to dumb you down of course.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    02-15-2013
    February 15, 2013 9:33 am
    Well, clearly we need to make a LAW! Against HEROIN and RIGS! We can register rigs and disallow high capacity rigs with big bore needles! According to the blindingly stupid and malicious leftists including the demonizer in chief, that will straighten things out post haste! Of course! And DonVigo, Review the constituent components of our State and the Federal legislatures and Governor/President over the last fifty years BY PARTY AFFILIATION and you will find that in fact SOCIETY'S CURRENT WOES ARE almost entirely the product of one party's GENUINELY MORONIC AND DESTRUCTIVE IDEOLOGY. (actually look, dude)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    "Review the constituent components..."
    February 15, 2013 9:51 am
    Yeah, no thanks. Not being a Teajadist, I don't like to waste my time getting angry over biased, pedantic drivel. Keep pointing those fingers and chastising the powers that be. You're certianly making a difference, and the world a better place to live like the rest of the right wing trolls living under KIRO's bridge...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Democrats vote side-by-side with felons and drug addicts
    February 15, 2013 9:42 am
    Almost exclusively. Although, there is the occcasional Rush Limbuagh that slips thru here and there...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    There is a reason the left votes with felons and dopers.
    February 15, 2013 9:48 am
    They are one and the same in most cases.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    yeeahh...
    February 15, 2013 11:17 am
    best not say what "the right" is synonymous with...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TLucas wrote...
    Age of consent...
    February 15, 2013 9:49 am
    "The age of consent for drug treatment in Washington is 13 years old and the state has no lock-down facilities. Once your kid hits that age, your child has to agree to go to treatment. At any point, they can decide they no longer want to continue getting help and check themselves out." Maybe they should look at the laws that are taking away a parents responsibility to parent. And letting a 13 year old who is using drugs make health care decisions.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    We live in a state...
    February 15, 2013 10:27 am
    ...where a senior in high school needs parental permission to take their own Tylenol in school, yet a 13 year old can check herself out of rehab and go get an abortion without parental notification.

    I wonder which political party passed those laws???

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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