The prevalence of perhaps the most addictive drug out there is gaining ground locally, and it has no mercy.

At least five people have died in north Jefferson County of probable heroin overdoses within the last year, according to local law enforcement officials.

That includes three people, ages 20-35, who died in Gardendale from February to September, according to Gardendale Police detectives, who asked that their names not be used.

Also, Fultondale Police Sgt. David “D.P.” Smith said two people have died in Fultondale of probable heroin overdoses since October 2011.

Investigators can not definitively say that heroin was the cause, because it shows up as an opiate. But so does medications such as Lortab, Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, codein, morphine and other drugs.

However, they said the evidence strongly points to heroin.

The Fultondale Fire Department has responded to 11 overdose calls since October 2011. And the Gardendale Fire Department has responded to 27 overdose calls from January to through September, an increase from the 19 overdose calls it responded to in all of 2011.

Gardendale detectives said they have arrested three mid-level heroin dealers this year, which is a clear sign that use of the drug is gaining prevalence in the area.

In the town of Morris, Police Chief Brian Cochran said there have been no heroin-related deaths this year, but that heroin is becoming more of a problem in his community.

“We’ve had some overdose issues that were suspected to be heroin,” he said. “Heroin is on the upswing. It looks like it is overtaking meth.”

Cochran said state legislation that regulates the sale of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine, is helping stem the manufacture of meth.

However, that is making meth more expensive, which detectives said is driving more people to heroin as it is cheaper right now. “We’ve seen a strong increase in heroin use in our area — a lot of used needles and stuff we find that is extremely dangerous to us and the public,” said Smith.

In Warrior, Detective George Billits, who runs the department’s narcotics unit, said no heroin-related deaths have been reported, but he is beginning to see more of the drug in recent months.



On the street

Heroin sells for $10 to $20 on the street for a tenth of a gram, or a single dose. It is $40 to $60 for a half gram, and $60 to $100 for a gram, which about the same amount of sugar in a paper packet at a restaurant.

A heroin addict can easily spend up to $200 a day to support his or her addiction, detectives said.

Heroin is derived from opium poppy plants. Most of it in the north Jefferson area is smuggled into the United States from other countries, according to officers.

The street names locally for heroin are boy, dope, smack, junk, big H or snow. The drug can be snorted, injected or smoked, but it is most commonly injected. It is white, brown or black, and has a bitter taste.

Overdoses happen mostly when people change drug dealers. A person can use the same dealer for years, and his or her body adjusts to the drug. But when the user switches to another dealer who cuts heroin differently, the results can be fatal.

“The problem is that so many of them don’t know the dosage of what they’re taking,” Smith said. “You just don’t know until it’s too late.”



Signs of trouble

Police say that parents need to know the signs of heroin addiction in their children, because it seems that mostly young people are using the drug.

The physical signs are sores or bad acne on the skin; red, dilated eyes; rapid weight loss; unusual sleep patterns; bad hygiene; and needle marks.

Behavioral symptoms include a change of friends, wearing sunglasses all the time, wearing long sleeves in hot weather (to hide needle marks), asking for small amounts of money several times a day; and stealing from family members.

Drug-fueled crime also goes beyond the family.

The detectives said many crimes in north Jefferson are drug-related, including burglaries from homes and vehicles. They said that controlling drugs will automatically control crime.

Fultondale law enforcement officers agree.

“When we interview defendants on other charges, a lot of them tell us they are heroin users and they’re blaming that on their crime spree,” said Smith. “We have heard from them that it’s easier to get now, and it’s a little bit cheaper.”

Smith said the Fultondale Police Department will be happy to answer questions or help citizens any way it can.

“If we can be of any assistance about narcotics and their uses, or if anybody wants to inform us of suspicious behavior, please give us a call,” he said. “We depend on the public to help us.”