First step in heroin battle is talking
It's not easy to accept this truth: Heroin has become part of everyday news in the suburbs.
Just last week, we reported on a woman accused of breaking into her father's Gurnee home to steal money to feed her heroin addiction, a Cary man arrested for possession of heroin and an Elk Grove Village 19-year-old who overdosed and later was charged after police found 10 bags of heroin in his home.
In addition, the first of three people charged pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of Michael York, 17, of Elburn. The teen's body was dumped in a Chicago alley after he apparently overdosed in 2007 on less than a gram of heroin at a party in St. Charles.
In Will County, Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad officers arrested two men who tried to sell them 29 grams of heroin near I-55 and Route 59.
Michelle Hines of Lake Zurich has accepted this truth and is doing something about it.
She has organized a Tuesday night forum at Lake Zurich High School to get people talking about drug abuse in the suburbs. The event follows the death of three Lake Zurich High School alumni in the last 14 months.
"There have been so many parents who believe this would not happen to their kids. Their kids are in sports. Their kids are in every activity, and there's no sign of foul play," Hines told staff writer Jamie Sotonoff. "The signs aren't the same anymore." We think of the obvious signs such as finding paraphernalia, secretive behavior, withdrawing. Others are less clear-cut: hyperactivity, wearing long-sleeve shirts to hide needle marks, or being tired all the time.
Heroin poses challenges that can't be addressed by police or school counselors or parents alone. It's a community problem that demands community attention. It's up to teachers, shopkeepers, coaches, neighbors, too.
Hines understands that. And she's taking a step to bring people together to talk about it.
We encourage everyone in the community to know the warning signs and pay attention. Speak out if you see something unusual.
Parents, especially, must to get involved now, even if you haven't seen the signs in your children or friends of your children. Talk to your kids. And let them talk to you. Listen to what they tell you. Discuss the sad story of Michael York or Gina Dominick, whose panicked friends left her body in the Prospect Heights library parking lot because they didn't know what to do after she overdosed in 2008. Talk with other parents, even if you're sharing news that's hard to tell and harder to hear.
Attend the Tuesday forum, a March 31 meeting at Serenity House in Addison or organize one in your own community.
Heroin addiction happens almost immediately. And a single dose can kill. Heroin is easy to get and less expensive than other drugs.
We all must act now. There's no time to waste.
Drug forums in the suburbsbull; "The Drug Culture is Changing," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Lake Zurich High School auditorium, 300 Church Street. Lake Zurich Police Department and parents will host a forum on topics related to substance abuse, including signs to watch for and how to talk to teens about drugs. Admission is free, but RSVP to Cmdr. Quinones at (847) 719-1695, ext. 129. Teens are welcome to attend.bull; "The New Face of Heroin Addiction - Illinois Teens," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, at Serenity House, 891 S. Route 53, Addison. Serenity House, the Illinois Alcohol and Drug Dependency Association and York and Addison Trail high schools will host a forum featuring a panel of teens, parents, elected officials and medical professionals moderated by Serenity House President/CEO David Tews. Admission is free. Call (630) 620-6616, ext. 129, or go to serenityhouse.com for more information.