Addiction on Long Island

Unfortunately, drug use on Long Island continues to be a major problem among today’s youth. Police should be commended, as they have stepped up both enforcement and monitoring in schools and high-risk areas. However, the fundamental addictive attributes of drugs makes it a difficult problem for schools, parents and the community to combat. The at-times severe consequences are manifesting themselves in not only individual families but in our communities. Recently, several high-profile crimes on Long Island showed how drug addiction can extend far beyond one individual and harm the lives of the innocent.

How do children from solid, middle-class homes raised by loving, caring parents become involved with serious drugs, most notably on Long Island, heroin and oxycodone? While a myriad of factors can contribute to addiction and the resulting consequences, commonly the causes involve gateway drugs and peer pressure. Peer pressure can often lead to young adults trying what many consider to be fairly innocuous drugs, such as marijuana. After this, they are induced to try harder drugs which can rapidly lead to addiction. Often, a gateway drug of one kind or another acts as a stepping stone to more dangerous drugs.

Prescription painkillers are a common way that this can occur, especially in the case of oxycodone addiction. The Suffolk county police department recently reiterated that this presents a major threat to our communities and that these drugs need to be tightly controlled. This is because variants of oxycodone are often given after surgeries or other traumatic events and it can be difficult to stop taking them, even after the necessary time to take them has expired. Others become addicted after using softer drugs and find that prescription painkillers are more satisfying. Painkillers can also be more available in the community than illicit drugs, as they are found at your local pharmacy or even in the family medicine cabinet. Eventually, the addiction can become so strong that it causes the addict to do whatever is necessary to obtain the pills, whether through force or robbery, even at the expense of loved ones.

While many stay addicted to oxycodone or other painkillers, others graduate to heroin or other drugs. Oxycodone pills available by prescription have a street value that is much higher. Heroin is available on the street for much less and is often used as a substitute for oxycodone.

What often gets left behind in the headlines is the toll that these drugs take on innocent families, left to clean up the pieces of shattered lives. The emotional pain cannot be measured. The best course of action you can take is to reach out. Communicate with your children, grandchildren and loved ones about the crisis and how they are vulnerable. Even once is too much and every precautionary measure must be taken to keep our children from turning to drugs, not matter the type or circumstance.

Rudolph F.X. Migliore is an attorney in Commack, NY who regularly represents juveniles and those charged with drug-related crimes. He has seen a number of cases and the results of a dangerous drug problem on the island. For more information or assistance with a court matter his office can be reached at 631-543-3663, visit migliorelaw.com