Making Sense of Nassau County's Heroin Epidemic

The addiction to heroin in Nassau County is on the rise. From 2005 to 2008,  arrests for heroin possession in Nassau County rose 91 percent. In 2009, there were 390 heroin arrests throughout the County and 13 arrests were made for possession in West Hempstead alone during the first seven months of 2010.

It has become the drug of choice of the middle class and wealthy youth. The current approach has been to stop the flow of heroin to the addict and, simultaneously, to educate young children [and their parents] on the perils of using the drug.

Last fall, the Nassau County District Attorney's office held several education seminars titled "Not My Child" for parents at schools in the area, to raise awareness about heroin use among local kids. DA Kathleen Rice has filmed a PSA on the issue, and the County's Heroin Prevention Task Force continues to work together to reach out to communities about the ugly truth of heroin use among teens and find ways to combat this trend.

However, it is imperative that professionals also discover why a child begins to use this dangerous substance in the first place.  Heroin addiction, though often considered a disease, is a symptom of a serious underlying psychological problem, where the symptom becomes more destructive than the disease.

Not only is heroin the ultimate tranquilizer, but it has become inexpensive to begin and its effects can be attained not only by injecting it but also by inhaling it.  Initially, the user has an experience known as 'going on the nod' or 'nodding out'.  This is similar to the infant's sense of comfort after being fed the bottle.  It is no wonder that, in the 1960's, the street term for heroin was 'milk', the pusher was known as 'mother', and the place they used was called 'the crib'.

While there may be many reasons why a person turns to heroin (e.g., the disintegration of the nuclear family), one possible cause is related to the increased pressures in the 21st century and the difficulties that some youngsters have with coping with these stresses.  In the mid 20th century, a student went to high school and was given the option to choose: (1)  an academic program, which required regents and was designed to prepare the student for college; (2) a commercial program that included secretarial, bookkeeping and similar subjects, not requiring the taking of regents, and college was not an expectation; and (3) a vocational program, similar to our BOCES program, that prepared one for auto mechanics, auto body, and many other non-academic careers. 

Now, the vulnerable child, who is enticed to try heroin, may feel the pressure to go to college, because of a personal belief that it is the only way to find success and the best way to please parents and, even, some teachers.  Youngsters who are not academically oriented, because of psychological reasons or difficulties due to a learning disability, may panic rather than realizing the potential to excel in college despite these factors.

Self (and other) imposed pressures to excel can begin as early as elementary school.  To meet state requirements, young children are required to pass standardized tests in English and Math in the fourth through eighth grades.  These tests are used to ascertain whether or not the student needs extra help.  Despite the fact that these tests have no bearing on the student's grade, score comparisons among students can leave those with lower scores feeling embarrassed and less competent than their compatriots. The inability to cope with actual or perceived failure is one of the major problems facing today's youth. 

It is important to encourage children and reassure them that they can recover from momentary traumas (e.g., failing a test or striking out in a baseball game).  However, the well-intentioned but overprotective parent may fight the child's battles, leaving them to feel unable to independently handle difficult situations. 

There is a difference between a child being important and a child being too precious to struggle.  The expression 'no pain, no gain' applies not only to athletics but also to emotional growth.  Teaching a child self-reliance and independent coping strategies may not prevent all youngsters from heroin addiction, but it is a great step toward prevention.

This opinion piece was written by Psychiatrist Donald A. Moses, M.D. and Child Psychologist Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., ABPP, FAASP.

Dr. Moses has worked with drug and alcohol abuse for over 40 years.  He is currently on staff of North Shore/LIJ Health Care Systems and was the psychiatric consultant to the LIJ drug treatment program in Manhasset and addiction program at Triboro hospital. He has also published a book titled Are You Driving Your Children To Drink/ Coping with Teen-age Drug Abuse and an article on the relationship between learning disabilities and drug abuse in the Journal of the American Association of Psychiatric Medicine.

Dr. Moss is both a clinical and a school psychologist. She is a Diplomate in School Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology, and a Fellow in the American Academy of School Psychology. Dr. Moss has authored two professional books, is a reviewer for two journals, and has worked in school, hospital, residential, clinic, and private practice settings.