The hidden dangers of heroin use

Learn about: The hidden dangers of heroin use from Sharon LeGore,...
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The hidden dangers of heroin use

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Heroin is different than it was back in the 60's, not that it wasn't a dangerous drug then, but the purity levels were, maybe at 3 or 4 percent; where now the purity levels have risen to anywhere between 40, 50, all the way up into the 90s. What that does is increase the intensity of the drug and makes it more dangerous. Sometimes, dealers who are marketing the heroin, will find ways to boost their product. When that happens, they will take what's called a "hot bag," where maybe they've been dealing heroin at a 40 or 50 percent purity level. They may jump it up to an 80 or 90 percent level. What that does is, for someone who is used to taking 40 or 50 percent, it makes it to a level where they can overdose. The thing is, if they overdose, that's a good thing for the dealer, because it increases his sales. People think it's really good stuff. It's extremely dangerous and kids don't even know this is happening. It's important to talk to your kids to let them know what is going on out there. They may think that dealers are their friends, but when it comes to drugs, there really are no friends.

Learn about: The hidden dangers of heroin use from Sharon LeGore,...

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Sharon LeGore

Family Advocate

Sharon is the founder and president of Momstell, a parent advocacy organization she created after the death of her daughter to a drug overdose.  She created the Momstell website in order to expand the mission to join concerned parents and families to work together towards improving drug treatment, education, legislation, and policy. Mrs. LeGore has worked on many drug and alcohol policy, state budget and legislative issues for Pennsylvania, including legislation to create the first statewide Parent Advisory Council for substance abuse issues in Pennsylvania. She serves on several policy tables and co-chairs the PA Children’s Advisory Committee.

Mrs. LeGore is a consultant on substance abuse family involvement issues for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and is also the co-director of the SAMHSA sponsored “National Family Dialogue”. Sharon co-authored the CSAT/SAMHSA report “Families of Youth with Substance Use Disorders: A National Dialogue”, an issue brief entitled “Family Involvement in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment” a journal piece for Reclaiming Futures entitled “Family Involvement in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery: What do we know and what lies ahead”, co-authored the “Access to Substance Abuse Treatment: Results of a Family Survey” as well as several additional published articles. She is a national speaker and also serves on the Parent Advisory Board for the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Sharon is the mother of four and resides in Mt Wolf, Pennsylvania with her husband Terry.

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