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Heroin Users Seeking Addiction Help From County Increases 57 Percent Over Five Years

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Story Published: Feb 21, 2012 at 8:35 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2012 at 8:35 PM PDT

SAN DIEGO - The number of heroin users admitted to county-funded treatment centers has increased 57 percent overall in the last five years, and has jumped 229 percent among 18- to 25-year-olds, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported Tuesday.

Of the 12,000 or so annual admissions at the centers, about 9.5 percent in 2007 involved heroin abuse, according to the HHSA. By 2011, the portion was nearly 17 percent.

"While we've seen decreases in other drugs, there's been a scary increase in heroin abuse," said Susan Bower, the HHSA's director of Alcohol and Drug Services. "We are seeing more, younger men coming into treatment because of heroin."

In raw numbers, the county saw 219 admissions to treatment centers in 2007 in the young adult category, with the patients saying heroin was their drug of choice, Bower said. By 2011, the figure was 721.

For adults ages 26-50, the increase in the same time period was 887 to 1,105. There was also a small jump for juveniles, she said.

She said the numbers do not include those seeking treatment at facilities that do not receive money from the county, or who have yet to seek help.

Last July, the county Medical Examiner reported that heroin was the most common drug in narcotics-related deaths of people under 30 years old in 2010. The toll included seven teenagers, more than in the prior 10 years combined.

Officials at the treatment centers say many of the heroin users previously abused oxycontin, according to Bower.

"Because oxycontin is more expensive, and their resistance increases, meaning they need to use more of the drug, they'll jump to heroin to get the high because oxycontin is (also) opiate-based," Bower said.

She said treatment is available throughout the county, regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

Parents who believe their child might have a drug problem and adults with substance abuse issues can call the county's Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240.
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