Commonwealth of MassachusettsOffice of District Attorney

Joseph D. Early Jr.

Drugs and Alcohol Presentation

District Attorney vs. Drugs & Alcohol(DAvsDA)

Opiate Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MccDykVjIw

“I would much rather prevent a crime than have to solve one” –District Attorney Joseph D. Early

Jr.

Real Life Addict: Josh Hamilton• Josh Hamilton, a Texas Ranger

Outfielder was in the 3rd year of a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels when he first tried cocaine, and began to struggle with addiction and alcohol abuse.

• The Angels debated kicking Hamilton off the team which would have nearly destroyed his future as a professional baseball player.

• He became a five-time all-star with the Texas Rangers from 2008-2012, but continues to fight with addiction.

Real Life Addict: Roman Montano

• Roman Montano was a multi sport athlete, planning to declare for the 2008 MLB draft

• After becoming addicted to OxyContin prescription pills, his entire athletic career was destroyed.

• He switched from Oxycontin to heroin and at age 22 his mother found him deceased in his vehicle with a syringe in his arm.

Real Life Addict: Amy Winehouse

• Amy Winehouse, a London based, grammy winning artist, publicly battled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout her singing career.

• Despite trying to get help, she continued struggling with sobriety.

• In 2011, at only 27 years old, Amy Winehouse passed away from alcohol poisoning.

Real Life Addict: Whitney Houston

• Whitney Houston was a beautiful award winning actress and a grammy winning singer, in addition to the mother of a little girl.

• On February 11, 2012, Whitney was found face down in her bathtub, and pronounced dead at the scene.

• At the time of Whitney's death, 12 prescription medications, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol were all found in her blood.

• From Durfee High school in Fall River, MA, to Boston College, Chris Herren was an all star basketball player.

• After getting involved in cocaine as a freshman at BC, his life took a new turn.

• Repeated drug test failures resulted in his removal from his dream college.

• Mr. Herren then went to Fresno State, CA, to attempt a second shot at college, but continued to struggle with drug abuse.

• The suffering remained even as he was drafted into the NBA, playing for the Boston Celtics.

Real life addicts: Chris Herren

• His addiction shifted from OxyContin, vicodin and percocet to heroin and crystal meth.

• After playing basketball overseas, Mr. Herren returned back to Fall River, MA and in 2004 overdosed on heroin and was pronounced dead.

• Luckily paramedics were able to bring him back but Chris Herren’s life will forever be changed.

• As of 2011, Mr. Herren had seven drug related felonies on his record.

What Is Addiction?A disease of the brain affecting three main parts:

the brainstem, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex.

Addiction of the Brain Drug addiction affects the “reward circuit” by releasing an overload of dopamine (pleasure) in the brain. Repeated behavior of such euphoria kills neurons, making it impossible to feel such pleasure again without the drug. This is when drug use changes to drug addiction.

Addiction in Massachusetts• Two people in Massachusetts die of overdose

EVERY DAY• Currently, more people die from overdose than car

accidents across the country• Total number of addicted MA residents = 200,000• In the last decade, 6,600 MA residents have died of

overdose• Between 2002 and 2007, 78 MA residents died

serving in the Middle East

Myths About Addiction

1. “Good kids don’t do drugs, bad kids do”

2. “People who get addicted are weak and without morals”

3. “Addicts must hit rock bottom before they can be treated”

4. “America’s drug problem is unsolvable”

The Hidden Cost of Addiction

We are all affected by those addicted to drugs!

“Life restored to a neighborhood: priceless” District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

It’s a Disease

Addiction is a disease and as a society we must treat it as one, much like we do cancer or

diabetes. Together we can prevent drug abuse and addiction!

It’s a Disease!• Treatment typically takes 18-24 months• Patients are initially seen 1 to 2 times a

week by a medical provider and a social worker/counselor.

• Weaning someone off of opioids is a multi step process.

• We wouldn’t treat heart disease or cancer with one emergency room visit, so why are we trying to treat addiction in that manner?

Categories of Drugs

1. Depressants Examples: Alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines, inhalants, and opiates.

2. Hallucinogens Examples: LSD and ecstasy.3. Stimulants Examples: Cocaine,

methamphetamines, speed, party pills, caffeine.

Alcohol Use & PreventionAlcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12 month period:1) Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home

responsibilities.2) Drinking situations that are physically

dangerous such as drinking and driving.

Alcohol Use & Young People

According to a Duke study:• Alcohol free dorms showed an increase in

Admissions and Alumni contributions.• Number of beds went from 30 to 70.• In 2006, 50% of applicants applied to on-

campus housing.• Community interested spiked.

Alcohol Use and Young People• Before entering college 34%

of students had engaged in “binge drinking” while 66% had not

• Within the first year these numbers reverse with 66% of college students binge drinking regularly and only 34% do not.

America’s Obsession with Alcohol

● In 1988, 12% of songs created referred to alcohol and drugs, compared to 30% in 2008.

● Approximately two thirds of prime-time fictional TV shows depict alcohol with an average of 8 drinking acts per hour

● Reality TV glorifies dangerous drinking behavior (Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Jersey Shore, etc.)

● We have been conditioned by advertisers to associate certain things with alcohol- Sporting events, beach/ summer

Sporting Events The Beach/Summer

“Party right with Bud Light”

Binge Drinking

“The practice of consuming large quantities of alcohol in

a single session, usually defined as five or more

drinks at a time for men and four or more drinks at one

time for women.”

Know Your Limit

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

• It takes one hour to metabolize• It takes 30 minutes to feel effects of one drink• Abusing alcohol can affect your: - Brain - Pancreas - Heart - Decision Making Skills - Liver

Alcohol and the BrainEggs can be cooked in vodka due to the proteins

in the egg reacting to the chemicals of the alcohol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXllY32d4Q

1) Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach2) Drinking alcohol to reduce thirst.3) Drinking alcohol when you are under

stress, emotionally upset, or tired.4) Not knowing when to stop.5) Mixing alcohol with drugs or medications.

Signs of Dangerous Drinking

Problem Drinking Signs

• Frequent uncontrolled drinking episodes• Driving while drunk• Doing something under the influence of

alcohol that you would not otherwise do• Lying about or trying to hide drinking habits• Problems at school, with social relationships,

including family and friends• Frequently “blacking out” when consuming

alcohol

Fatal Alcohol Related Accident

Anthony Barksdale II, 19 years old, March 1, 2013, Boston University

• Anthony lost his life due to alcohol poisoning after a frat party which school officials described as “an underage booze bash.” The fraternity was suspended as result of the tragedy.

National Underage Drinking Statistics

• 4,300 deaths annually are caused by underage drinking.

• More than 90% of alcohol consumed is considered binge drinking.

• In 2010, there were 189,000 emergency room visits for injuries related to underage drinking.

• 70% of young people have engaged in heavy drinking by ages 19 or 20.

Criminal Statistics ● Teen Alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year.

That’s more than all illegal drug combined. ● Car crashes are the leading cause of death for

teens and about a quarter of those crashes are involve an underage driver.

● Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol related crash.

Criminal Statistics Cont’d ….

● High school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to drop out of school.

● Almost 50% of all 10th graders drink alcohol.

Comic Relief

MarijuanaIn Worcester County, Marijuana is a major factor in

many dangerous home invasions

Marijuana is made up of two main components:• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)• Cannabinol (CBD)

Effects of Marijuana

Short Term• Sensory distortion• Reduced reaction time• Elevated heart rate• Panic/anxiety• Red eyes• Poor coordination of

movement

Long Term• Reduced memory• Suppression of immune

system• Growth disorders• Personality and mood

change• Destruction of lung fibers• Lowers IQ

Marijuana is a gateway drug, it’s not just once.

Marijuana Homicide• Michelle Diaz, a 21 year old

nursing major at Worcester State University, was murdered in an armed robbery during a marijuana sale.

• Donovan K. Smith, the 20 year old shooter, was charged and convicted of first degree murder, sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Home Invasion Gone Bad• Noel Inoa and Jose Marrero- Rodriguez viciously attacked a man and

two women in their Worcester apartment in search of drugs and firearms in May 2012

• Javier Moldano was found beaten and dead from an apparent strangulation

• 18 year old mother Samantha Lester was found with a 10 inch knife in her neck, barely alive

– Her baby was found crying in the street, abandoned• Yannettee Rivera was found alive but in critical condition after being

struck in the skull with a dumbbell • All 3 victims were found bound• Jewelry, money, drugs, and firearms were stolen from the apartment

by the assailants

Opioids

Opioids are drugs with effects similar to morphine, derived from opium components

in poppy plants.

• Examples: Vicodin, OxyContin, Codeine, and Heroin.

• About 18-20 million people use opiates recreationally.

Opioid Usage

Heroin is administered in three ways: smoking, snorting, or shooting (injecting).

Because it enters the brain quickly, heroin is very addictive. In fact, each time a user administers heroin, more is needed to get the same high.

Effects of Opioids

Short Term• Intense pleasure and strong

feelings of wellbeing• Confusion• Pain relief• Constricted pupils• Impaired coordination• Decreased blood pressure

and heart rate• Loss of concentration

Long Term• Feelings of sadness or

depression• Mental impairment• Skin, heart, and lung

infections• Collapsed veins• Tetanus• Risk of contracting HIV or

hepatitis

Side Effects of Opioid Use• Opiate abusers will develop a tolerance, or the

need to use larger amount to obtain the same effects.

• When opiate use is suddenly discontinued or curtailed, withdrawal symptoms occur.

Withdrawal EffectsOpioid drugs are both physically and

psychologically addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include:• Craving the drug• Restlessness• Low blood pressure• Stomach and muscle cramps• Diarrhea and vomiting

Overdosing

• The purity of opioid drugs is unpredictable.

• Having a break from opioid use reduces tolerance.

• First time users are at risk of overdose, as they do not know what dosage their bodies can manage.

There is currently a heroin overdose epidemic in Worcester because of:

Treatment• Sharps Drop Boxes are located throughout

Worcester County to help lower the spread of diseases.

• Methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol are being used to wean patients off heroin.

• It is highly advised that people receive psychiatric help while in recovery.

• Addiction is a disease, meaning the treatment and recovery process is as long as any other disease.

Worcester County Overdose Statistics for 2015 (Jan-July)

January 15 deathsFebruary 7 deathsMarch 19 deathsApril 4 deathsMay 3 deathsJune 8 deathsJuly 7 deaths

The leading cities/towns:1) Worcester (17)2) Fitchburg (11)3) Leominster (5)4) Gardner (3)

63 suspected overdose deaths5) Males: 506) Females: 13

Worcester District Attorney’s Opiate Task Force

“We’re remaining ever vigilant on heroin and opiate trafficking to keep poison off our

streets and out of our neighborhoods”District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Police Bust Drug RingSix people were arrested on charges relating to a heroin and opiate bust in Worcester-• Charges are Trafficking Heroin and Cocaine, and

Conspiracy to Violate the Controlled Substances Act

• Inside two separate apartments, police found 20 grams of crack cocaine, 40 grams of heroin, packaging materials, scales, cutting agents, hypodermic needles, and multiple cell phones.

• Multiple cars and 3 jetskis were seized and suspected to be purchased with drug proceeds

“I would much rather prevent a crime than have to solve one” – District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr

“The majority of the crime we deal with is drug and alcohol related” – District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

#itstartswithU#DAvsDACheck out our Facebook

and Twitter page for more information on the Opiate Task Force!

A Special Thanks to

CleanSlate Addiction Treatment CentersWorcester Police

Worcester Telegram and Gazette