Kiana F.

, Callee Sandberg, Gabby Levy, Dylan Cardozo, Beau Wessel

Current Events Speech
October 13, 2015
Professor Brightman
The Heroin Epidemic in Manatee County
In order to understand the heroin epidemic plaguing the citizens of Manatee County,
people need to start by researching the drug and understanding the grip it has on people. With
further research it is clear to see that the rise in overdoses in Manatee County is a trend seen at
the National level as well. Many factors have led to the increased number of overdoses
including new synthetic forms of heroin that are more potent. Although this problem may not
directly affect the citizens of Manatee County, it does end up impacting all local residents in
some way. This is why the County has taken several steps in recent months to help solve the
Heroin crisis in Manatee County.
Heroin is a very illegal and highly addictive drug. It is processed from morphine, which
is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy
plants. Heroin can be classified under drugs called opioids, which are painkillers. Heroin is
typically either a white or brown powder which is then cut with sugars. There are several
different ways you can consume this drug. Heroin can be injected, snorted, or even smoked. The
most commonly used is through injection. Using a needle allows the drug to instantly get into
your blood making you feel the most powerful result (What Does Heroin Look Like).
Many people are addicted to using this drug because after they either inject, snort or
smoke this drug, they instantly feel relief and have no physical pain. People are relieved from
any discomfort and claim to feel better overall. The users believe they are much better when they

are out of physical or even emotional pain. After using heroin, people feel total relaxation which
promotes the addiction. Heroin works so quickly because when consumed it takes over your
body and flushes your skin (What Is Heroin and How Is It Used).
Heroin use has increased across the US among men and women, most age groups, and all
income levels. Some of the greatest increases occurred in demographic groups with historically
low rates of heroin use: women, the privately insured, and people with higher incomes. The rate
for heroin-related drug-poisoning deaths was highest among adults aged 2544 from 2000
through 2013. The number of heroin caused overdoses in the United State correlates to Manatee
county because they are both at the highest levels seen so far. Overdoses in Manatee County
have skyrocketed within the past couple of years. There were 339 total overdose calls in all of
2013, 700 in 2014, and 630 overdose calls through the end of June this year (Irby, Heroing).
The heroin epidemic in Manatee County has increased ten folds within the past couple of
years. One of the factors that are leading to an increase in overdoses is a combination of
Fentanyl that is mixed with the drug to produce a more potent effect. Fentanyl is a very strong
drug that is often used for anesthesia before surgery. It has an even strong effect on pain relief
then the drug morphine. Many addicts have also been using different synthetic forms of heroin
that are often more poisonous then the actual heroin strain itself (Irby, Manatee).
Many families have been affected by heroin, losing loved ones and even kids dying as
young as 15 years old. One Bradenton woman who ran a flop house (where people could come
and do drugs) had a son that lived there and he ingested heroin that caused him to overdose and
later die ("Drug Overdose Kills 25-year-old Bradenton Woman; Sarasota Boy ODs on Heroin) . Many
children have been taken from their parents at a young age and the need for foster care has
significantly increased because of this. Tax payers and the economy have also taken a big hit

because of this crisis. For example, the U.S. government spent roughly $27 billion dollars in
2010 alone and since then heroin overdose has doubled so the expenditure has doubled as well
(How Much Does Heroin Cost?).
Several solutions have been presented to County officials to help put a stop to the
heroin epidemic of Manatee County. One solution to the problem is allowing paramedics
to administer a life saving drug named Narcan to people when they arrive on the scene of
a heroin overdose. Currently, people who overdose have to make it to the hospital before
they can receive an injection of Narcan. Many lives could be saved by allowing
paramedics to carry and administer Narcan at the scene of the overdose. The county has
also assigned a special investigation division that focuses solely on heroin overdoses.
This attention will hopefully lead to less future overdoses and deaths in Manatee County
(Irby, Heroing).
Heroin is a dangerous drug that has a strong grip on its users. Manatee County
has seen the largest number of overdoses in the state of Florida. This drug affects all
citizens living in the county in some way or another. The citizens of Manatee County
will be able to stop this crisis with the newfound attention on the issue as well as new life
saving measures.

Works Cited:
"Drug Overdose Kills 25-year-old Bradenton Woman; Sarasota Boy ODs on Heroin." Bradenton.
Web. 8 Oct. 2015.

"How Much Does Heroin Cost?" Heroin Prices Could Cost A Life. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.
Irby, Kate. "Heroing Overdoses Exploding in Manatee-Sarasota, Nationwide." Bradenton
Herald. 2015.Web.
Irby, Kate. "Manatee County had most heroin, fentanyl deaths per capita in Florida in 2014."
Bradenton Herald. 2015.Web.
"What Does Heroin Look Like?" Foundation for a Drug-Free World - The Truth
About

Heroin. 2006 - 2015 Foundation for a Drug - Free World. Web. 7 Oct.

2015.
"What Is Heroin and How Is It Used?" National Institute on Drug Abuse - The
Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. NIDA DRUG PUBS. Web. 7 Oct. 2015.