Montgomery County Adapt & school district host heroin forum

MT. STERLING, Ky. (WTVQ) There are many socioeconomic factors that have led to the rise of heroin in central Kentucky. But officials here are coming together at the High School for an information heroin forum because they believe education is key to stopping this epidemic.

Mt. Sterling Police Detective Chris Haddix says, “This is a war. This is a battle right here. Lives are being taken from us.”

It’s a battle against heroin that becomes more dangerous everyday. Just last month, 21 people overdosed on heroin. Out of that group one died. The DEA has not released full toxicology reports yet, but federal investigators say the bad batch of heroin was laced with fentanyl, a deadly painkiller that can be 50 times more potent than heroin.

It’s now an epidemic that has taken hold in central Kentucky many officials say because it’s a cheaper alternative to prescription painkillers. Police say in 2014 and 2015 there were 12 overdose deaths in Montgomery County each year. This year its already at 10.

Detective Haddix says, “…So I’m afraid by the end of the year we will exceed the numbers of the past couple years.”

It’s an addiction that a local doctor says has many faces.

Dr. Taufik Kassis of Community Family Clinic says, “I’ve seen ups drivers, I’ve seen teachers, it could be somebody next to you now or at church.”

Mt. Sterling Police Chief Charles David says, “We are not in a battle with those who are addicted. Those who are addicted deserve our compassion and our help.”

And officials say the best way to help stop the epidemic for future generations is to talk to kids about the dangers of the deadly drug

Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Matt Thompson says, “They have to have this information or otherwise how will they know the right decisions to make.”

Montgomery County ADAPT and the school district plan to have three informational drug forums on different topics a year, and plans to host the next one in the winter.