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Dangerous ‘Love Affair’ with Heroin Becomes Epidemic in Central PA

WILLIAMSPORT — It’s a growing epidemic all over the country. Now, state police believe heroin abuse may have led to three deaths in Bradford County ...
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WILLIAMSPORT -- It's a growing epidemic all over the country. Now, state police believe heroin abuse may have led to three deaths in Bradford County in less than a week. Newswatch 16 spoke with a nonprofit in Lycoming County working to combat the rise in heroin use.

A man who only wanted to be identified as Donnie told us about the first time he tried heroin.

"And he offered me some and I didn't feel any pain anymore," said Donnie.

That one time led to a heroin addiction for Donnie, who is now clean.

"It was like a love affair with me from the very beginning," said Donnie.

Donnie's story is just like so many others, that this dangerous "love affair" with heroin is now an epidemic.

"White males between the ages of 31 and 60,” said Steve Shope.

A group of professionals in central Pennsylvania including Steve Shope and professors at Lock Haven University have teamed up to stem the tide of heroin use. Heroin, an opioid, is now being laced with a substance called fentanyl. Its something state police believe may be to blame for three overdoses in Bradford County in the past week.

"Drug dealers are placing it there to make a more powerful drug and make it more powerful to the user. People are using it, but in many cases are dying sometimes in the first time they are using it," said Shope.

A new generation of opioid abusers aren't becoming addicted by taking drugs you can buy out on the streets. They're abusing medication you can find in your bathroom cabinet. Medication your doctor is prescribing.

"When people became addicted to those prescription drugs and they were no longer available they had to resort to the most readily and affordable thing and that's heroin," said Shope.

"Even in my high school, I've known people who have got a hold of pain killers and they are selling them and stuff," said Ethan Moore.

Moore practiced with his teammates at Lock Haven University. Moore had a sports injury and was able to ween off a pain killer, but many people can't.

"To stay clean one day at a time that is the miracle," said Donnie.

Donnie says it takes a team including doctors, drug and alcohol centers, and community leaders to help prevent and treat this addiction.

Members of Project Bald Eagle want everyone to know help is now readily available for those in need.

For information on treatment, people can contact West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission's toll-free and private number: 1-888-941-2721.

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