Reported 01/30/2007

Giving Help

Losing my sister to heroin was the scariest, most painful ordeal I have ever been through in my life. Since her passing, I've worked hard to help educate people about this drug. I've also been available to assist others in getting help from heroin as well as assisting family members who want to get help for their loved ones. 

When my sister was living, I did not know anything about heroin other than it was a drug that you shoot up. I had no idea that it could be snorted, no idea that it was as addictive as it was, no idea how high the risk of death was from using it.

On Christmas day of 2006, my family and I were dealt a nasty blow when we were told that someone else we love is using heroin. After my first initial reaction of shock, pure fear, anger and dismay, I sprung into action. I thought to myself that there is no way in hell I will lose this person like I lost Kyndall. I knew what to do. I knew how to get help. I can save this person. 

The next day, I started making phone calls. It wasn't easy to say the least. This person had no medical insurance and not even Medicaid. What this person did want was help. I was on a mission to find it. My family and I called many places in the central New Jersey area. I started with a list that I found from this very site!- http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/ 

Many of the places were private and even on a sliding scale fee, they were ridiculously priced. One place wanted $15,000 for 30 days. I knew that we had to find a detox first and then an inpatient facility. After two painstakingly long days with many hours of phone calls, we found a rehab called New Hope. He was admitted into the detox program the next day which lasted for 5 days. It was free but there was a waiting list for the rehab so this person now had to go home and our search continued. 

We were able to find a few places. Some offered emergency Medicaid while I found a couple that were free. (take note- these are very run down places) I was relieved that this person was able to get help regardless of how run-down. So relived... All this person had to do was make a phone call to the place for an interview. 

That's when the brick wall went up. This person decided they could do without the inpatient and just go to outpatient. While NA meetings are crucial, with heroin addiction, you NEED to go to inpatient. This person completely refused our help. We pleaded. We begged. We yelled. We screamed. We reminded them of what could happen. We cried. 

This person is still using but pretends that they are receiving help. This person lies to us. This person is a heroin addict who will not choose to help themselves. 

Everyday, I get emails from people wanting to help their loved ones. Everyday. And everyday, I tell them the user has to make the choice to help themselves. It has to start from there. 

It's sad. But it's true. I can only pray now. I can only pray that I will not have to go through that pain and horror again of losing someone I love to this terrible, addictive drug. 

I pray.
                                         -Nicole DelBuono   

National Drug Threat Assessment 2007