It used to be a city problem. Then it started to creep out into the suburbs. Now it’s everywhere.
Heroin is back, and it’s a bigger problem than ever.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan has gone so far as to call it an ‘epidemic.’ He’s not underestimating the problem.
Heroin is destroying families - and communities.
Don’t believe me? Make sure you check out the series from our sister paper the Mercury out in Pottstown.
They noticed some of the stories we did here on the resurgence of heroin and pain-killers. We referred to it as ‘The Heroin Scourge.’ Whelan explained his belief that part of the problem lies in people getting hooked on prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin. Then they start to look for a cheaper substitute. That’s when they turn to heroin.
It’s not a Philly or city problem. It’s not a Delco problem. It’s everywhere, even the far western suburbs. The stories sound the same, the toll they take on families and communities is horrific.
You can read the first part of the series here, as families talk about losing loved ones to the heroin scourge. Part II looks at police efforts to fight the problem, which is believed to be behind a spurt in crime, including home break-ins and robberies. You can read that one here.
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