Police: Heroin Use on the Rise; No Drop in Other Drug Use

Local police are still seeing plenty of marijuana and cocaine on the streets of Romeoville, but say heroin use is also on the upswing.

“It’s my understanding that heroin use is on the rise in the area, not just here in Romeoville,” Assistant Chief Steve Lucchesi said. In all 12 months of 2010, Romeoville Police handled eight heroin-related cases. They’ve dealt with eight additional cases so far in 2011.

“We’re on track to be a little higher [than normal],” Lucchesi said.

And, according to Will County officials, the drug’s purity has increased in recent years, making it even more lethal. The number of heroin overdose deaths in Will County has jumped from 6 in 1999 to 26 in 2010. Last year’s deaths included one in Romeoville, three in Bolingbrook, and one each in Naperville, Shorewood and Channahon. Over the last decade, there have been five heroin-related deaths in Romeoville.

“The heroin coming in is pure, highly addictive and you can find it on the street for $5 or $10,” Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil .

Lucchesi said Romeoville Police have not handled any heroin-related fatalities this year, but said overdoses are on the rise.

“I know a lot of the overdoses law enforcement are seeing are heroin overdoses,” he said, citing two non-fatal overdoses in Romeoville since the beginning of the year. “It’s higher purity than it used to be.”

Lucchesi said the drug’s relative cheapness could be the reason why it’s become more popular in recent years. But although heroin use is on the rise, police have not seen a corresponding decrease in the use of other drugs.

“There’s been no reduction in marijuana or cocaine,” Lucchesi said.

“This is an issue of tremendous concern,” Will County State’s Attorney’s Office spokesman Chuck Pelkie told Patch this summer. “This is no longer the junkie shooting up in a basement. High school teens have access to it and it is the drug of choice for teens from affluent families and communities.”