Leffler: Nothing seems to slow down heroin

12:00 PM
Jan 30
2012

Of the six people indicted by a Huron County grand jury on Friday, four face drug charges -- including three involving heroin.

Huron County Prosecutor Russell Leffler said heroin offenses represent a major portion of the criminal docket.

"I believe it's a highly-addictive drug once you get hooked on it," he said. Once heroin finds its way into a community, it's hard to rid the community of it, the prosecutor added.

"Nothing seems to slow it down," not even the fear of dying, Leffler said.

Find more of this story and other exclusive content in the Norwalk Reflector print edition or the E·Paper online newspaper.

 

Comments

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Feb 03, 2012
09:30 PM

LookingDown says

Has alot to do with parent involvement! I can honestly say that I have never touched anything harder than a little green (and that was well after hs) yes there was times u was made fun of but I was taught and that u just say no! Wtf .......stop letting all them go with rehab! I know jail its a hell of a rehab...just a thought!
Jan 31, 2012
06:36 PM

Tough if you do... says

@ All taken~ Thank You for your post! That was the whole point of my post was to show that ppl can change and I know this because I did it. Yes I did go to CBCF in Tiffin and it actually is a good program if you utilize it correctly. The one in Akron is a joke from what I have been told though. The program again can not force someone to change and the only person that can change a person is theirselfs. That is one of the 1st things they teach you is to take responsiblity for your own actions and know that you make your own choices no one can force you to do anything. I pray for these ppl everyday that they will come to their senses and finally see that the life of a drugie is no life to live!
Jan 31, 2012
12:01 PM

grr says

perhaps stiffer penalties may help
Jan 31, 2012
09:42 AM

arnmcrmn says

Gotta love how all drug users who get busted think all cops are (insert your own word). What a bunch of losers.
Jan 31, 2012
04:06 AM

Tough if you do... says

@ Whatsupwiththat~ Um no shit maybe I should have walked the right path at 16... did you not read that correctly or do you need to get your glasses? And where do you get off that I was asking for anyone to feel sorry for me? Never did I say anything about feeling sorry for me! And I am a taxpayer as well so that tax shit is getting really old. If your so fed up with the way things are going in this town well then maybe you shoul get off your ass and do something about it instead of posting so stupid comment on the Norwalk Reflector! The whole point of my post was to show that not everyone who has made bad chocies in life is defined by them! Oh you must be God so that gives you the right to say who is worthless and who isn't right! Please is anyone is the pathetic one it would be you for being such a close minded person and thinkin your perfect. I wonder how many ppl in your life are addicts that you still don't know about? Wonder what you would say if it was your kid who got hooked on the junk? I bet you wouldn't have one thing to say then would you? I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for me I MADE MY OWN CHOCIES!
Feb 02, 2012
06:54 PM

Gdusty86 says

I have a troubled child not on heroin but other prescription pills ,a good kid a nhs graduate even two years of college ,I do not drink or smoke ,I am a Christian .he fell in with the wrong crowds,I don't think bad parenting is the cause of drug use ,I was told it's genetics ,I was told this by a physician .so yes people can change ,I pray or all the suffering addicts and their families .
Feb 03, 2012
09:37 PM

LookingDown says

Alot with morals...just because ua good christian doesn't mean your kid is. Telling your kid to go to church and having then want to....big diff. you can tell your kids what to do but can't make them and generics have nothing to do with that....... Yes you are more likely to fall into addiction but you have to take the blame at some point...isn't that a step in most programs...taking responsibility....no its genetics my kid cant help it.......PROBLEM # 1
Jan 31, 2012
01:26 AM

Tough if you do... says

Okay so if you don't like my opinion GET OVER IT!! I am a recovering addict! I have been clean for over 2 years now! I started using when I was 16 and it wasn't anything to do with how my parents raised me or the Government! I am now 26 and happy to be alive! I thank God everyday that I was given a second chance in life! Yes it took me some time to finally realize that I didn't want to live like that anymore and believe me I have had plenty of consiquinces for my actions. Rehab does work if you actually use it to recover and not an alternative to prison! I went to Prison and I aslo went to rehab. Part of my judicail release was to go to this rehab. If it were not for these I would probably be dead! People who have a drug problem are not worthless or pathetic! They have a problem but no one is going to change them except for themselfs! If they don't want to live a differnt life style they are not going to do it! It won't matter how many times you try to punish them, you are not going to force them to change! And don't take that the wrong way because I am not saying they shouldn't be punished by any means! Yes it would be nice to see the Reflector publish something in the paper about someone who has gone through recovery and is now doing good! Maybe if they did that some of you would have a differnet outlook! No I don't think a slap on the hand is what is in order either. And I also think that the cops are idiots for letting ppl snitch to get out of charges! That to me is nothing but reinforcing the problem because you are putting them right back out on the streets to do the same damn thing so please someone tell me how the hell that works?!! Most of you have never had to deal with something like this yourself or in your family and I pray that you never do, but until you really fully understand the addiction and what the drug does to you don't act like you do! People choose to keep living their lives the way they do regardless of what the court does because it is a persons choice to live that way! Lets just pray that the ones who keep repeating the same shit over and over will wake up and realize that using drugs is no way to live and it is true what they say... Jails, institutions or death are your ultimate destainy! God help them...
Jan 31, 2012
01:43 PM

All taken says

Whatsupwiththat: Your an idiot! You are sooo negative. A young person has straightened up their life. Tough if you do: Congrats to you. To bad alot of these other people can't do the same. This does go to show you, it can be done. I am just curious to what kind of rehab did you do and where?? Jail and CBCF seems to be the judges favorite and from what I understand CBCF is a joke.
Jan 31, 2012
03:19 AM

whatsupwiththat says

Maybe you should have walked the straight and narrow path at 16 and not chose to be a drug junkie and ppl. Like yourself wouldn't have to waist taxpayers money and expect ppl. To wipe boo hoo tears over the bad decisions YOU chose to make ! It is absolutly rediculous that the cops,courts and prisons are working overtime because ppl. Such as yourself waist their lives and destroy ppls. Lives over drugs !! And just so you know ppl. Are sick and tired of reading, hearing and dealing with the whole issue about dumba** strung out on drugs. What a waste !!
Jan 31, 2012
12:11 AM

ole45mag says

Actually, as far as I'm concerned, these people that are into these type drugs are partakers in the killings by the Mexican drug people, as well as the middle east terror networks. To buy a drug is to buy a bullet for the killers, therefore these druggies ought to be arrested as partakers in terrorism. The money eventually funnels down to hell.
Jan 30, 2012
11:52 PM

Blacktigress says

the problem is NO MORAL CHARACTER. Parents using foul language around their kids. Parents being buddies of thier kids instead of icons and heros of morality Parents moving in with their shack up honeys and hunks, and the kids grow up thinking sex is like going to and amuzement park, ride them all! They never know the deep and real purposes of a relationship Parents teaching their kids "Those who die with the most wins" attitude, instead of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Parents letting murder and sexual video games babysit thier children, even as todlers! And we expect the Government to correct this? Its the parents fault, and its going to get worse, and soon we will loose all moral fiber within our entire society. God help us.
Feb 03, 2012
09:59 PM

LookingDown says

black ......btw....your kids are the up tight ones that go wild when they are away from you! Something tells me alloy will be a grandma way before your time! Which doesn't make you a bad person.....just means you lived a little (and not with a religious thumb up your a$$)..........your post are so upright comments just makes me sacred for you! One that looks for evil everywhere will find it....just a thought.......no need to reply because I won't come back and look because I just dont care what you think.....
Jan 31, 2012
12:36 PM

Cliff Cannon says

@ Blacktigress: Not only loved your essay,but totally agree as well.May I add an observation to your fine work? Somehow,someway,the thought that the 'purpose of life' is to be 'happy' invaded American popular culture,would you agree? Which means,that 'disappointment's' which are as natural as sunshine crush those with out the 'moral character' you refer to, in my opinion.Further,I ask for someone obviously gifted like your self is not your 'purpose' to be responsible,useful,compassionate and honorable? Above all,I'll bet you desire to stand for something,to make a diFFerence and most of all have your life count for something,am I close? Which leads me to this bet: Your a 'happy' person.Do I win?

Believing myself correct,may I on behalf of the public,thank-your parents for raising such a fine person?.Then remind you, in today's world, leaders such as yourself are needed to teach true 'happiness' to the downtrodden. So please keep up your great work.Thank-you oh so much for brightening my day

Jan 30, 2012
07:30 PM

hit the road jack says

Why doesn't anyone look at the real problem here? The U.S. Government is the problem,their the one's helping the Afghans growing the poppies and must be flying this stuff into the country for your kids to get strung out on.
Jan 30, 2012
06:09 PM

Sitting In The ... says

Geez......"Nothing seems to slow it down," not even the fear of dying, Leffler said. Really couldn't you contact somewhere that had this same problem and ask them what they did to remove this problem. I'll give you a hint STOP SLAPPING THEM ON THE WRIST!!!!!!!. Why would they stop doing it if there no punishment?. YOUR NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF YOU DON'T TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!!!!!!. The whole sending them to get help is a joke I don't recall the Reflector ever running a story saying " Rehab worked for this one" EVER!!!!!. I sure hope you guys pulled your heads out of the sand or you might not be in the positions your in for much longer this whole thing is a joke.
Jan 30, 2012
04:52 PM

6079 Smith W says

China and many other countries execute drug dealer and they still have drug problems.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2072528/He-Xiuling-execution-Tru...

If death isn't that great of a deterrent what would be?

Prohibition is not regulation. Treating substance abuse as a criminal issue instead of a medical one is a costly and highly ineffective social policy.

Jan 30, 2012
04:41 PM

I Can Read says

If I knew my neighbor was a heroin user or a dealer, there would be a big sign with an arrow.
Jan 30, 2012
03:02 PM

mommaz74 says

Maybe they should have addressed this issue before it got this bad. I personally called several times to report dealers in Huron county dealing to juvenile children and was told they knew but they couldn't do anything about it. I have spoken face to face with an officer whom told me he has told certain ones to just leave town ! REALLY??????? Police just do not care anymore. They care more about weed or pills. Not that they shouldn;t be concerned about those but Heroin should be above the two of them in MY OPINION! But my opinion is no more than just that, my opinion!
Jan 30, 2012
04:49 PM

-rebel says

@ mommaz74 - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, say that police don't care anymore! SHAME ON YOU! They care a lot more than you or I can imagine. Our officers are fighting a losing war on heroin, and it's a slap in their face for Judge Conway to keep sugar coating the problem with light sentences. May God bless our police in their war on drugs.
Jan 30, 2012
01:39 PM

iamrevolutionary says

How about Prosecuting them as much, as not more than, you punish innocent folks in cases?! I have seen minor misdemeanors get more of a fine or probation, than herion users/dealers! PUT THEM IN JAIL and leave the pot smokers be! At least the pot smokers pay their fines and go to Work everyday!(the great % of them anyway) Drying out may teach them! Of course, that would make the city/county responsible for their Med. attn. while they are withdrawing...could cost some$$$..
Jan 30, 2012
02:25 PM

superslant says

I would certainly hope that innocent folks never get prosecuted. To say “PUT THEM IN JAIL” is not going to solve the problem. Jails are already horribly overcrowded, and there is just not room to throw every user into jail. There are many more people going through the system that deserve jail spots. I have no problem putting the dealers in jail. That should be a 1 strike and you’re out kind of deal. With users, they need to be given chances to clean themselves up. At least 3 chances should be given. I know that heroin use will ultimately lead other crimes to support the heroin habit. At that point, jail should be an option. I don’t really know what can be done about the problem as a whole. It seems that there are never any shortage of users.
Jan 30, 2012
06:12 PM

Sitting In The ... says

So the first two homes they break into is what a freebie are you serious?
Jan 30, 2012
02:34 PM

Uputwhatwhere6 says

Screw these addicts! They did it to themselves. So sick of people making excuses for them.
Jan 30, 2012
01:34 PM

Buckeye_Nation says

if we actually had people that knew what they were doing punishing these people than things might be different. they try sending them to a substance abuse type rehab instead of jail because jails are becoming too crowded, well if they stopped arresting people for stupid drug charges like weed, it would clear up some space, it is so stupid that you can get the same time if not more for weed than heroin what a joke, i have never heard of anyone overdosing on weed or hurting anyone or robbing someone for their money so they can buy more drugs, and marijuana has some some medical benefits also. here's an idea, just give them enough to let them OD, then we wouldn't have to worry.
Jan 30, 2012
01:24 PM

Uputwhatwhere6 says

@krisag- I agree...Firing a judge that has a history of doing nothing to these people would help the situation too.
Jan 30, 2012
12:38 PM

krisag says

How about stricter punishment for those caught with it?! And how about an attempted murder charge for those caught selling it! This problem is ridiculous! I'm in fear for my kids...and my oldest is in first grade! If we don't get a handle on this now, it's only going to get worse. Time to think outside of the box, guys!

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