Drug Crime Crackdown in Pennsylvania May Be Leading to Overdoses

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania. The government’s attempt to crackdown on prescription drug abuse may have had unintended consequences. Drug users who relied on opioid prescription drugs may have turned to heroin and other illicit drugs in response to recent crackdowns. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, drug overdoses have increased in 2014 by 23.4 %. According to police officers in Pennsylvania, individuals who once used opioid prescription drugs have had a harder time acquiring these drugs, and have turned to heroin instead. Federal and state officials have been pushing to reduce the number of opioid drugs being prescribed. In the wake of this push, dealers offer cheap and strong heroin on the street as an alternative.

The opioid addiction epidemic is the result of systemic problems. Doctors who prescribed prescription opioids were often not held to any regulatory standards and faced little oversight. Recent crackdowns on doctors have reduced the number of opioids that are being prescribed, but this doesn’t necessarily lead to fewer overdoses. If the crackdowns don’t come along with adequate treatment programs, individuals are sometimes forced to seek out more dangerous alternatives.

The reality is that many of the individuals facing drug charges need treatment. Limiting prescriptions, restricting doctors’ prescriptions, and monitoring opioid use are just part of the equation. Instead of sentencing drug users to draconian prison terms, Pennsylvania should be offering proper treatment programs to keep people off drugs. If you’re facing drug charges, Barry G. Goldman, Esquire: Attorney at Law understands the unique challenges you may be facing. You need a drug crimes lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and offer alternatives to tough sentencing, if possible.

Families struggling with drug addiction are the real victims. As lawmakers struggle to pass laws to crack down on opioid and heroin use, families have spoken up to tell their stories. Nine experts and 18 lawmakers are trying to find a solution to a problem that has torn apart families and communities. Instead of looking to throw people in jail for addiction, the government is trying to find ways to increase insurance coverage for addiction and rehabilitation services. However, it is clear that there isn’t going to be an easy answer to Pennsylvania’s addiction crisis.

Opioid and heroin addiction has affected Pennsylvania citizens of all backgrounds and nationalities. Individuals have a particular image of what a heroin addict looks like, when the reality is that opioid addiction affects everyone from nurses to grandparents. State lawmakers are speaking to insurers to see if coverage gaps can be closed and to find ways to better introduce recovering addicts to the community. Doctors will also soon have a database to access patients’ drug prescription history to see if they have a history of drug addiction before prescribing.

Yet, the problem is likely to continue as long as there aren’t proper treatment options available. If you or a loved one is facing drug charges, it is important to understand that you are not alone. Barry G. Goldman,Esquire is a drug crimes lawyer in Lancaster, PA who works closely with victims of opioid abuse, to help them find solutions that don’t involve jail time, when possible.