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Baton Rouge drug use on the rise

by | Aug 21, 2015 | Firm News |

 

Drug use occurs nationwide, and by some reports is increasingly a problem. According to a recent report from the Baton Rouge Drug Enforcement Agency’s resident agent in charge, drug use is becoming more of a problem in the Baton Rouge area. The DEA agent cited both use of illegal drugs, as well as prescription drug abuse. Use of these drugs may lead to prosecution for drug charges.

According to the local DEA agent, prescription drug abuse has also led to the use of heroin in the region. Heroin, which used to be uncommon in Baton Rouge, can now be easier to obtain and is often cheaper than prescription drugs. It may be that a person starts out using prescription drugs, but then, unable to obtain them easily and cheaply, turns to heroin.

Overdose deaths from heroin use are on the rise in Baton Rouge. There were five overdose deaths in 2012, 35 in 2013, but in the first six months of 2015, there have already been 24. According to the DEA agent, often users and dealers in the region are not experienced drug users and therefore the danger of overdosing is elevated.

Heroin has made its way into the market as part of prescription drug sales as well, with fake prescription pills being made from crushed heroin via a pill mold. The DEA agent also cited abuse of cough syrups, which contain promethazine with codeine, as a problem in the region.

The rise of heroin and prescription drug abuse in the Baton Rouge region suggests that police and DEA agents will be on an increased lookout for those involved in drug manufacturing or who are in possession of a drug. If you or a loved one has been arrested or is facing drug charges, whether a first-time offense or a subsequent offense, you may wish to seek out legal counsel.

 

Source: businessreport.com, “Prescription drug abuse, heroin deaths on the rise in Baton Rouge,” Stephanie Riegel, Aug. 5, 2015