Heroin in York County: Chronicling an epidemic
With 62 overdose deaths from heroin in 2014, there was no denying it: York County has a heroin problem.
A York County Heroin Task Force was created the same year "to form a partnership of community, medical and government agencies dedicated to reducing the abuse of heroin in our communities," as its mission statement reads in part. The task force brought the issue into local communities around the county as it held town hall meetings, in some cases drawing hundreds of concerned residents. York County Coroner Pam Gay has raised awareness and shined a light on how to get help.
In March 2015, the York County commissioners approved an agreement allowing the York County District Attorney's Office to distribute naloxone, an overdose antidote drug marketed as Narcan, to law enforcement agencies. Since then, police departments around the county have reported saving people from heroin overdoses by using the drug.
In York, the 81 addiction recovery homes are unregulated and often turn a profit - and it's unclear how many of them actually help addicts.
While overall overdose deaths in York County are below the state average, heroin and prescription opiate deaths remain high. In York County in 2015, the number of deaths from heroin kept pace with the previous year even while the total number of drug overdose deaths fell. The coroner also said the number could have been much higher, if not for the naloxone saves performed by law enforcement. Neighboring Adams County had just three heroin-related deaths in 2015, but the coroner still believed it was a concern. Law enforcement in Adams County planned to get naloxone late in the year.
With about a month left in 2016, there were 50 confirmed overdose deaths and another 16 suspected, including 3 in a short span in one day, the York County Coroner's Office said.
Many of the more recent heroin-related deaths also involved Fentanyl, a synthetic opiod that gets mixed with heroin, the York County coroner's office said.
On the national level, the CDC issued new guidelines in March 2016 related to doctors prescribing opiates for pain.
Coroner: Potent drug linked to heroin overdoses
Efforts to educate the community, combat addiction and reduce drug-related deaths and crime continue. Read more about the heroin problem below.
Updates: What's coming
Special report: Heroin's toll in York County
In October 2016, the York Daily Record looked at the demographics of the victims of heroin overdose - and told the stories of some of the effects on those left behind.
- Who is dying from heroin-related overdoses?
- West York woman 'didn't want to believe' grandson used heroin
- Heroin addiction was daily battle for York woman
Taking back their town
In Delta, a small borough in the southeastern corner of York County, community members had enough of heroin. Volunteers have formed a task force and organized community nights to give kids a place to go. The borough council formed a safety committee. And York County prosecutors say the residents there have a high level of cooperation with law enforcement.
Why has Delta area rallied to fight heroin?
A recent drug bust in the area was helped by community members working with police.
Cops bust 7 in Delta area for drug trafficking
Special report: Recovery homes
The York Daily Record found 81 recovery homes in York city that serve nearly 500 people, including several used by the county's probation department when paroled drug offenders have no place to live. Generally, someone who lives in one has to get a job, pay rent and obey house rules, such as doing assigned chores. But there's no official oversight or way to know if they've helped or made things worse.
Making money off addicts: Do York's 81 unregulated recovery homes help?
In recovery homes, chasing sobriety, responsibility
Special report: Naloxone
While police officers carrying a heroin overdose antidote have saved lives - the drug has been administered hundreds of times - some worry it could have the effect of enabling addicts.
Cops with Narcan cut OD deaths, worry over enabling
Personal stories of heroin's impact
Mike Knaub submitted for publication this eulogy he gave for his son, Dakota L. Knaub, 28, of Mount Wolf, who died Oct. 15 after a long battle with opioid addiction.
A grieving father eulogizes son lost to heroin (column)
A family pushes for stricter DUI laws after their loved one is hospitalized following being struck by a driver who police say was on heroin.
Family wants stricter DUI laws after heroin-induced crash
The story of the tragically short life of Landon Frank-Thomas Altamura begins in New Jersey, with the story of his mother's life.
WATCH: A boy's 3-hour life, his mother's life-changing addiction to heroin
Recent graduates of the York County Drug Treatment Court shared their stories. About 85 percent of the court's participants are addicted to opiates.
From good to bad, drug court graduate looks forward
Read about a mother in recovery who traveled across the country to be by her son's side after he overdosed, and the people who helped her get there.
Heroin OD to hope: Mother's love travels to Seattle
Cristina Hoober kicked heroin, but she replaced it with huffing. Now, she's dead at age 39.
She replaced heroin with huffing. Now, she's dead at 39
When Central York senior Dylan Gross's parents found out he was doing heroin, they couldn't believe it. They tried to get him help, but they were powerless in the face of his addiction. Dylan died two days after his 18th birthday.
Dylan Gross, a young victim of heroin
Ashley Krebs had been saved from a heroin overdose once, and when she stumbled again, it took her life.
Heroin claims daddy's little princess
John Armentrout says he was a 'bad person.' He had overdosed twice. But for some reason, he says, God spared him and he got clean. He knew it was an overdose when he saw the woman...
He says he was a 'bad person,' but he saved a woman from an overdose (Mike Argento column)
A scholarship fund to help people seeking recovery from heroin addiction has been started in memory of a man who died last year after taking the drug.
Scholarship started for people in recovery
During a February 2016 presentation organized by the York County Heroin Task Force, a former addict whose close friend died from an overdose shared her story.
Ex-addict shares story at heroin awareness event
Cody Laughman's death happened unexpectedly. His mother, Vickie Noel, found out he was using heroin in November 2014, she said, and he died from an overdose about a week later.
Community helps family buy gravestone
Growing up in Shiloh, Heather Myers was a normal girl who did all of the normal girl things. In high school, she was very outgoing and had lots of friends. "Not all good ones, unfortunately," her sister, Holly Herbert, said. Myers was introduced to drugs, mostly marijuana, but graduated to cocaine - and eventually, heroin.
Heroin epidemic: The life - and death - of Heather Myers
Jeremy Vreeland shared his story to let people know that they can get help, that they can come back from addiction.
The heroin epidemic: Fighting back from addiction
Law enforcement
Two were arrested after, police say, they shot two people death while rummaging through a Fawn Township home for drugs. One suspect was later found dead in prison.
2 dead, 2 arrested in rural killing
A man is accused of driving under the influence of heroin in connection with a crash in which a York woman was struck. She is in a coma.
York woman fights for life after being struck by driver on heroin, cops say
Why have only two people in York County pleaded guilty to drug delivery resulting in death?
Drug death cases illustrate nuances of court system
Authorities have warned of a type of heroin causing deaths in neighboring states.
State warns of heroin laced with animal sedative
Arrests, court cases:
- New York man gets prison time in drug deal that led to murders.
- York City Police seize $5,800 in heroin.
- Boy finds parents' drug needles, calls 911, police say.
- Heroin trafficker arrested in York, police say.
- Police seize $8,200 worth of drugs in York.
- Narcotics bust leads to arrest of wanted York man.
- Police seize $4,500 in heroin from York apartment.
- Toilet full of heroin lands York man in jail.
- York County probation officers will carry an overdose antidote.
- A man wanted on charges of dealing heroin fled from police and led them on a chase, officials said.
- A Wal-Mart robber who wanted fentanyl was later shot by a trooper, police say.
- Man removes heroin from crotch, stuffs it in cop car, police say.
- Jury convicts York man in heroin case.
- A six-month investigation led to the arrest of seven people in southern York County in connection with heroin trafficking.
- A stolen gun and heroin were seized from a York home during an arrest.
- A man said he used heroin before crashing into several vehicles on Route 30, police said.
- The August 2015 death of a man from a fentanyl overdose has led to charges against the man police say supplied the drugs.
- Aric Kraft pleaded guilty March 1, 2016, to involuntary manslaughter and delivery of a controlled substance for the overdose death of 33-year-old Michael Besse.
- A York man allegedly stamped heroin packages with "gameover" and could face federal charges, city police said Feb. 29, 2016.
- An alleged drug dealer was charged in connection with an overdose death, in addition to a woman who had been charged, officials said. The man accused in the case had apparently misread the Good Samaritan Law, according to police reports.
- A York man was sentenced in February 2016 to 10 years in prison on federal charges of drug trafficking that included heroin.
- An investigation into a report about a teen with a BB gun led to gun charges against her parents - police said they found "in excess of 200 used heroin packets" in the home.
- Heroin valued at more than $140,000 was seized from a York home in February.
- Two women pleaded guilty in February 2016 to separate, unrelated overdose cases from 2015.
Naloxone saves since February 2016:
- EMTs use Naloxone to revive a Red Lion woman.
- Spring Garden Township Police officers used naloxone to revive two men at a gas station in late February 2016.
- Officers revive woman in Manchester Township.
- Man revived at Manchester Township motel.
Awareness, education and treatment
The York County Coroner's Office made a push to increase awareness of overdose deaths Nov. 30 after three deaths occurred in a short time frame.
Coroner: 3 suspected heroin ODs in 5 hours
Pennsylvania Counseling Services in York was selected as one of 20 Centers of Excellence to help people with opioid-related substance disorders navigate the healthcare system and receive needed services.
Watch: Tour York center to coordinate opioid abuse treatment
A new addiction treatment center is set to open in York County.
York County to get opioid treatment center
Drug overdose deaths were down in York County - but the problem remains.
Drug-related deaths point to crisis, changes needed, reports say
A "warm hand-off" policy to get overdose survivors into treatment is working, state official says.
From overdose reversal to treatment
Task force looks to improve community response in fight against opioid abuse.
Tackling drugs in York Co.: 'Ground zero north'
Do people need opioid painkillers after surgery? People should talk to their doctors about their prescriptions and possible addiction risks.
Do you really need painkillers after surgery? (column)
Gov. Tom Wolf came to York in May to talk about the heron problem.
Gov. Wolf talks at York heroin roundtable
The 5K Run for Dillon in May raised money for Not One More's addiction awareness campaign, and the teams' T-shirts were a chronicle of the heroin epidemic.
T-shirts chronicle York's heroin epidemic
The Evening Sun hosted a forum in Hanover on May 10. Families shared stories of what it's like to love someone who's an addict.
Families find solidarity at Hanover heroin forum
Central York High School - where addiction hit hard after a student died of a heroin overdose in March - held a week's worth of addiction education events in April 2016.
After Dylan Gross' death, Central students talk addiction
In addition, the same week, the Heroin Task Force hosted a town hall for parents at Central.
"Wake up and realize we have a (heroin) problem," Central parent says
High school students in York County will design a billboard to send a message about the heroin epidemic.
Student billboards to 'shine light' on York heroin issue
York County Coroner Pam Gay wrote about responding to people commenting on social media regarding a needle exchange program.
Coroner: I used to hate heroin addicts, too (column)
Chris Herren, a former NBA player who struggled with substance abuse, spoke at York College.
Former NBA player Chris Herren shares story
Family First Health in York received a $352,000 grant that will help fund treatment for the prescription opioid and herion epidemic.
York health center gets $352K grant
Letter to the editor from the Pennsylvania secretary of health outlines what the state is doing to combat heroin.
What Pa. is doing to combat heroin
Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate pain reliever, has become a major cause of overdose deaths. Find out how to recognize abuse.
How to recognize a fentanyl overdose
York City Police held a heroin forum March 2, 2016, in which the drug was displayed.
York cops display heroin at panel
After a study of drug treatment needs in York County, the commissioners approved a major expansion of the county's substance abuse treatment center.
York County to expand substance treatment center
As local police continue to save people from death after they overdose, some have criticized use of the drug, saying "let them die" or calling it a safety net for drug abusers. Coroner Pam Gay and Deputy Coroner Claude Stabley defended use of the overdose antidote, saying it does not enable drug users.
Heroin antidote does not enable addicts
A report from late in 2015 included among its recommendations: recognition that addiction is a disease, a focus on treatment, and expanded use of naloxone.
Treatment key in heroin crisis, report says
A columnist writes about personal advocacy - how it can make a difference and how you can get started.
How one person can change the world
The Byrnes Health Education Center is offering a program for middle and high school students about the heroin epidemic.
Heroin 'Wake Up Call' talk to educate students
As the Hanover area grappled with heroin, it showed it was not just an urban problem.
Hanover vs. heroin: Not just an urban problem
Resources
Here is a list of addiction and mental health recovery centers around York County:
Brightwater Landing in Wrightsville