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'Drug Crisis In Our Backyard' Explored At Mahopac Forum

MAHOPAC, N.Y . -- As the heroin crisis in the region continues, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard hosted a forum at Mahopac High School Tuesday night to keep the issue out in the open.

The panelists at a Drug Crisis In Our Backyard forum in Putnam

The panelists at a Drug Crisis In Our Backyard forum in Putnam

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
There were 14 fatal overdoses in Putnam County in 2014.

There were 14 fatal overdoses in Putnam County in 2014.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Drug Crisis In Our Backyard was founded by two families who lost their sons to drugs within weeks of each other in 2012 and decided this was an issue the community needed to discuss.

"New York is one of the worst states in the country affected by heroin," co-founder Susan Salomone said. "We have people in this audience who have lost their children. Thank you for coming out here and not hiding in secrecy. This disease needs to be out in the open so our loved ones can get help."

Putnam County Assistant District Attorney Joe Charbonneau said fatal overdoses in Putnam County went from 7 in 2010 to 20 in 2012, though they decreased to 14 in 2014.

In 2012, Putnam County handled 409 narcotics related cases and in 2014, they handled 320. In 2014, the average overdose age in Putnam County was 41.

"We are kidding ourselves if we think this is a problem limited to our children," Charbonneau said. "We are trying to redefine the heroin narrative. It's no longer the kids who misbehave or hang with the wrong crowd. Addiction can strike any person. We all have to be aware of the symptoms."

Charbonneau said there is no such thing as a bad batch of heroin.

"Every time someone tries heroin, they run the risk of overdosing," Charbonneau said. "They are chasing a high every time they try it and run the risk of a fatality. 

People acquire drugs from their friends and classmates more than dealers, Charbonneau said.

"It's vitally important that we educate our young people," Charbonneau said.

Putnam County's Drug Court has seen 100 graduates since 2014 with a recidivism rate of less than 20 percent. 

Another speaker was Ethan, a person in recovery from St. Christopher's. 

Ethan said he initially had a drinking problem before graduating to painkillers and then to heroin.

"I never suffered any consequences," Ethan said. "My parents were definitely enablers."

Ethan said that in order to kick your habit, you have to be ready and willing.

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