Heroin Summit In FDL Draws Big Crowd

Organizers of a first-ever Heroin Summit in Fond du Lac last night were pleased with the turnout for the event. They were planning for about 250 people, but it was standing room only and some people who couldn’t find seats left. The evening featured 14 panelists ranging from law enforcement officials, to former users, to a mother who lost her daughter to heroin. Fond du Lac Police Chief Bill Lamb was the first presenter. He told the gathering of the last 6 armed robberies they investigated three involved people with drug addictions. Taking a look at the last 10 residential burglaries Lamb’s department investigated 2 involved known drug users and the other 8 suspects had drug histories. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney presented information that showed his office handled about 202 drug-related cases a year from 2003 to 2010. In 2012 and 2013 that number had increased to 347. Toney also talked about a study that revealed on average the first time a person tries marijuana is at 13.7 years of age, the first time for cocaine 13.1 years of age, and the first time for heroin 12.3 years of age. Later former addict Anthony Alvarado of Ripon told the crowd it’s becoming quite common for a young person to make the leap from prescription drug abuse to heroin. The event was held at the Stayer Center on the Marian University campus.