JUNKIES: The real story

Regarding the July 11 front page article on use of Narcan spray by Post Falls P.D., I will refer to the heroin addict as John the Junkie, or JJ. An educated guess as to what happened to JJ after the officers saved his life then left his residence, is as follows.

He will immediately ask his wife if the officers found his stash to which she replied, “No way, baby. You know I hid it with the cat litter.” JJ then would naturally call his connection and ask about the heroin he had just purchased. The junk connection would state something to the effect that “Man, I told you, fool, that was some hot ***t and you should have cut it more.” Of course JJ told the officers he was definitely going to find treatment. Yea, right.

I’ll tell you what he will really do. Depending on how much JJ was using a day will determine his next move. Within a few hours or days, he will get that metallic taste in his mouth which will set off the craving that he will not be able to deal with. Therefore JJ will be out there looking to score. Police officers who have been out there a while will know that JJ is either a thief, burglar or an armed robber. These winners have long since learned that they have to steal to make it through the day. It starts with stealing from family and friends and escalates from there.

JJ has now learned that he can OD again and be saved by Narcan and who do you suppose will pay the price? The public. Heroin treatment rarely works. Generally the junkie overdoses for good or if he or she lives to their 50s or 60s, will burn out all their veins and just burn out.

MICHAEL J. MURPHY

Hayden