Heroin use on rise in the suburbs?

Folsom arrests highlight a growing trend as heroin becomes most common drug encountered by local law enforcement.

Lengthy Investigation Results in $22,000 in Drugs Seized. Long hours and hard work paid off on Thursday after the Folsom Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) served search warrants on multiple Sacramento locations related to drugs being sold in Folsom.

• 7400 block of Winkley Way in Sacramento: Shamia Ingram (31) and Jermaine Ellison (40) were arrested after 3/4 of a pound of Tar Heroin was recovered at their home. Marijuana and commonly abused prescription medications were also recovered along with $5600 in cash.  Ingram and Ellison were booked into the Sacramento County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail charged with Possession for Sales/ Heroin, Possession for Sales/ Marijuana, Possession for Sales/ Prescription Drugs, and Child Endangerment.
• 1900 block of John Still Drive in Sacramento:  Demaris Crossley (39) was arrested when investigators found 10 grams of Rock Cocaine, nearly two ounces of Marijuana, and a loaded semi-automatic pistol were recovered on their search.  Crossley was booked at the Sacramento County Jail for Possession for Sales/ Rock Cocaine, Possession for Sales/ Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm (while possessing drugs for sale).

The abuse of Heroin in Folsom has seen explosive growth over the past several years.  Once rarely ever encountered by officers, the Folsom Police Department has witnessed a transition from people abusing prescription opiates (Vicodin, OxyContin, Hydrocodone) to a graduation it the cheaper and easier to obtain Heroin (illicitly manufactured opiates with no medicinal values).

Heroin has quickly become the most common drug encountered by Folsom police officers and fire personnel.  

The California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (CAL-MMET) and the Sacramento Area Intelligence Narcotics Team (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) assisted SIU in their investigation.  The Sacramento and Folsom Police SWAT Teams assisted the investigators with securing the search warrant locations safely without incident.

HEROIN – Quick Facts

How is it abused?
Heroin can be injected, snorted/sniffed, or smoked—routes of administration that rapidly deliver the drug to the brain.

What the Health Effects
Heroin abuse is associated with serious health conditions, including fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, and—particularly in users who inject the drug-infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

How does it affect the Brain?
Heroin enters the brain, where it is converted to morphine and binds to receptors known as opioid receptors. These receptors are located in many areas of the brain (and in the body), especially those involved in the perception of pain and in reward. Opioid receptors are also located in the brain stem—important for automatic processes critical for life, such as breathing (respiration), blood pressure, and arousal. Heroin overdoses frequently involve a suppression of respiration.
(source: National Institute of Drug Abuse)