Drug use a continuing concern in Fallbrook

The link between drug use and crime is indisputable. Unfortunately drug use is not declining in Fallbrook, but which substances are most popular (locally and countywide) has changed somewhat over the past few years.

"Between 65 and 70 percent of the people in Fallbrook we (law enforcement) contact are using some kind of controlled substance," said Sheriff's narcotics investigator Tim Clark.

Heroin is one drug that has gained momentum lately. Sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Yates reflected on the change, "In my first year on the street, in 1992, we only saw heroin on a rare basis. On the few occasions we did see it, it was 'Oh, that's what it looks like,'" he said. "In comparison, now, in 2015, we see it every day. It's as common as methamphetamine here. It's sad."

Clark, who is assigned to the Fallbrook command, shed some light on today's drug scene locally.

Clark said the increased presence of heroin is because "it's a little bit cheaper; drug users get more for their money, especially depending on how much supply is on hand." But it doesn't stop there.

"Methamphetamine is still very busy also and marijuana is just exploding," said Clark.

Heroin

As if traditional heroin isn't bad enough, Clark said 90 percent of the cases in Fallbrook now involve Black Tar Heroin. "Black Tar Heroin comes from the south (Mexico)," he said. "It looks like a piece of tar (similar to wet asphalt) - a stringy, sticky substance with an odor of vinegar." And sold on the street, users never know what purity they are getting, which can make it especially lethal.

Clark explained that users deploy two different methods to get a heroin high. "Some people use hypodermic needles to inject it into the body; sometimes people will just put it into their mouth and ingest it orally; and the most common is the 'chasing the dragon' method. That method involves placing a small piece of heroin on piece of tin foil. "Then they ignite a lighter underneath it and as the heroin begins to evaporate; they inhale the vapor. It's such a dangerous drug to take in that fashion."

"We have a resident here in Fallbrook, a street gang member, who has been resuscitated four separate times; he has overdosed four times," said Clark.

Methamphetamine

A drug that is extremely addictive, methamphetamine (meth) use has grown steadily over the past few years. It is also referred to as "crystal," "chalk", and "ice." Its appearance is that of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder. It can be taken orally, smoked, snorted, or dissolved in water or alcohol and injected.

Sheriff's deputies and detectives have found a strong link between suspects that use methamphetamine and crimes such as vehicle and residential burglaries. Feeding a meth habit leads many users to theft of items that can be traded for the drug.

"It's got a nasty recurring cycle; people who don't have money for their drugs steal items to trade for it," said Clark.

Many local methamphetamine addicts are well-known to Sheriff's deputies in Fallbrook, given the recurring offenses which continue to occur due to addiction.

"We have found that a single user can be responsible for 80 percent of break-ins occurring at the time," said Clark.

The behaviors of these addicts are well-known to the officers because the drug causes users to experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, have mood swings and display violent behaviors on occasion. Chronic use of the drug commonly cause chemical and molecular changes in the brain.

The "Oxy" pills

Commonly prescribed by physicians and surgeons as an effective pain killer, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, etc. are opiate-based (like heroin) narcotic pain killers that have spiraled out of control in terms of illegal use.

"We are currently working on an undercover case that is 100 percent (oxy) medications," said Clark. Depending on the specific pill and its power element, each tablet is sold on the street for between $7 and $10 apiece. Adults are cautioned repeatedly by authorities to keep these prescription medications under lock and key when young people are in the home.

What may be viewed as rather odd to the average (non-addicted) consumer is that "these pills are being consumed the same way as heroin when it is not being used intravenous," said Clark, referring to the "chasing the dragon" method of heating a substance (tablet) atop tin foil and inhaling the fumes.

Marijuana

Marijuana is certainly no newcomer to Fallbrook, but use of the organic substance is higher than ever, Clark said, due to the number of people locally who possess medical marijuana cards.

"What we are seeing here in Fallbrook is that more people are opening up storefronts selling [marijuana] without checking with Sheriff's licensing," said Clark. "While dispensaries can be located in certain areas of San Diego County, there are specific zones for it. There are no areas in Fallbrook or De Luz that a person can legally open up a dispensary."

Clark said some of the restrictions for dispensaries include being at least 1,000 feet away from a school, church, or residential area. "Marijuana is a very lucrative business," said Clark. "A pound of decent marijuana is selling for $2,000."

While some individuals may have appropriate reason and select to seek out being issued a medical marijuana card, the abuses are many, he said.

"In Fallbrook we have 18- to 22-year-old kids who say they

have strained their knee skateboarding and need a medical marijuana card; they are using the medical blanket to get high," said Clark. "When we contact them about their marijuana use, they are riding on those same skateboards."

What can be done?

Fully eradicating illegal drug use is most likely impossible. While law enforcement officers continue to make arrests for the illegal use, legislators have loosened incarceration guidelines for these types of offenses. More and more users spend less and less time behind bars.

Clark said the biggest change could occur if a portion of Fallbrook citizens decide to address the problem and take a proactive stance.

"It's going to take an attitude change by the people that use narcotics," said Clark. "In many cases, these people grew up with parents who did drugs around them at a young age. A lot of these families are tied to the local street gang. The element of responsibility has to return and be fortified."

"These people have to make the decision to stay away from the life of drugs and resulting life of crime," said Clark. "It really boils down to the household and how people are raising their children. As it is, they are not taking responsibility and it is frustrating."