Heroin Experiencing Resurgence in Middle Tennessee
Around Nashville, officials are seeing more and more in the way of heroin use and related drug crimes according to the The Tennessean. Mexican production of the cheap and powerful drug is growing and Tennessee is within the path of trafficking routes, in close proximity to both I40 and I16.
Not only are they seeing more incidences of heroin busts but the amounts being seized are also greater than before. The Tennessean reports that Nashville police seized just 99 grams of heroin in 2007 and 991 grams in 2009, a huge increase in a relatively short amount of time.
Authorities are attributing this increased demand to the similar rise in prescription drugs. The one noted difference—heroin is much cheaper. So, someone may begin their addiction using prescription narcotics like OxyContin but once their tolerance increases be unable to afford the increased dosages to keep withdrawals at bay.
They can get a much larger useable amount of heroin for much less than the prescription drugs. This sort of addiction progression isn’t all that uncommon as people who are truly addicted search to get a high that is increasingly harder to achieve.
Although officials have been able to make some pretty big busts, they struggle to break up the heroin distribution rings because the people involved have created such a complex system—allowing users to place orders over the telephone and have their drugs delivered “just like your favorite pizza parlor.”
Under the law, heroin is considered a Schedule I substance—the most addictive and dangerous classification available. In most cases, however, if you are found in possession of a relatively small amount of heroin and it’s your first such drug charge, you will face misdemeanor charges.
If, however, this isn’t the first time you have faced a judge for drug charges, you will be looking at Class E felony charges and a potential prison sentence. The court system becomes rightfully less lenient as you return to them again and again.
Heroin addiction is serious and there’s a good chance that if you use heroin you are addicted. Some people don’t admit to needing help until they are arrested and forced into hitting rock bottom. If you are in need of help, we may be able to work something out with the prosecutor.
When you are facing any type of drug charges, a defense attorney can act as your advocate, ensuring you get the best results possible on your day in court. Contact us today for a free consultation on your case.
