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This week, Nassau County, New York signed into law a bill designed to combat the swiftly growing problem of heroin abuse among area teens. The law requires law enforcement personnel to notify school officials when an arrest is made for heroin possession or sale. Legislators feel that the law will address increasing heroin use by suburban teens by improving communication between law enforcement and educational agencies.

Heroin arrests in Nassau County have risen by 50 percent since 2002. In addition, hospital admissions for opiate overdose are on the rise throughout Long Island. The increase in heroin use is attributed largely to the fact that heroin has become cheaper than ever before (nearly half the price it was in 2006).

New York State legislator Dave Mejias, a democrat from Farmingdale, proposed the bill, which was passed unanimously into law in December 2008. He comments on the motivation for the new legislation:

"Parents and schools need a head's up on heroin use before it's too late. ... The initial signs of heroin use are not easily detectable. This law gives everyone a fighting chance to combat this insidious epidemic. Schools notify parents when a child in their district has head lice; the county should notify schools about possible heroin use and sales in their districts."

(Source: www.antonnews.com)

Labels: teen-substance-abuse, teen-drug-abuse

Posted By: jgarcia