heroin abuse and addiction in Louisiana. e 38-member task force, created during the legislative session earlier this year, includes representatives from the medical, pharmaceutical, insurance and law enforcement communities, among others. "It's a signi cant issue and it's something that needs to be addressed," said state Rep. Helena Moreno, a New Orleans Democrat who has emerged as a key voice in addressing opioid issues in the Legislature. "We are losing too many lives to opioid abuse." Head-Dunham said that drug usage tends to go through cycles. Whereas a decade ago methamphetamine was considered an epidemic, the cycle has turned to opioids.
" is is where we are," she said.
She said that there is a common thread for many people su ering from opioid addiction: Often it begins with pain medications for legitimate ailments.
When users aren't able to get more prescriptions for the painkillers that they crave, they turn to illicit drugs like heroin or get their pills illicitly. At the same time, opioid addicts also build tolerance to the drugs and then increase their usage. It escalates to the point where they go to deadly limits to satisfy their cravings and stave o withdrawal symptoms. "It's a vicious cycle that the person gets into," Head-Dunham said.
-Dr. James Hussey, assistant secretary of LDH's O ce of Behavioral Health
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