Viral photo puts Ohio heroin epidemic in spotlight

World Today

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A man and woman in the front seat of an SUV, passed out from an apparent heroin overdose. A four-year-old child sits calmly in back. The images shocked the public.

CCTV America’s Jim Spellman reports on the viral image.

“When you see that shock factor, you get that lump in your throat. Especially when you have children of your own,” said Officer Kevin Thompson, from East Liverpool, Ohio.

Just one heartbreaking episode in a wave of addiction has hitting many U.S. communities.

Total overdose deaths in the U.S. have risen 137 percent from the year 2000 to the year 2014 while overdose deaths from opioids, prescription pain medicine like OxyContin and Fentanyl plus street drugs like heroin, have increased 200 percent.

Police are often on the front lines of what many experts view as a public health crisis. Earlier this year, the Obama administration committed tens of millions of dollars to fight opioids abuse.


Ron Martinelli on the US heroin epidemic

To discuss more about Ohio cops spread picture of couple allegedly overdosing on heroin with child in car, CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar interviewed forensic criminologist and medical investigator, Ron Martinelli.