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Heroin In The Heartland Morning Edition takes a close look at the heroin epidemic and its consequences.
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Heroin In The Heartland

In America's Heartland, Heroin Crisis Is Hitting Too Close To Home

Sabas Sanchez Jr. was better known among his neighbors in Madison, Neb., as "Gordo" — Spanish for chubby. He also had an oversized personality. His father keeps this tattered photo in his wallet. Bobby Caina Calvan/Heartland Reporting Project hide caption

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Bobby Caina Calvan/Heartland Reporting Project

In America's Heartland, Heroin Crisis Is Hitting Too Close To Home

Midwestern and Southwestern states struggle with an influx of heroin being sold for cheap by Mexican cartels. In one community, a spike in heroin-related deaths has everyone on high alert.

In America's Heartland, Heroin Crisis Is Hitting Too Close To Home

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States Lack Accurate Statistics On Widespread Heroin Use

Stacy Emminger holds the death certificate for her son, Anthony, who was addicted to heroin. His death was marked as a multidrug toxicity in Pennsylvania. Ben Allen/WITF hide caption

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Ben Allen/WITF

Analysis

States Lack Accurate Statistics On Widespread Heroin Use

WITF

Opiate abuse has reached crisis levels, but some states aren't doing all they can to determine the depth of the problem. Finding up-to-date statistics for specific drugs is often difficult.

States Lack Accurate Statistics On Widespread Heroin Use

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Many Native American Communities Struggle With Effects Of Heroin Use

Shannon Rivers, a member of the Akimel O'odham tribe, lights a fire for the purification ceremony at the Coconino County jail. Inmates will help him put blankets over the sweat lodge structure, place heated rocks inside and pour water over them. Laurel Morales/KJZZ hide caption

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Laurel Morales/KJZZ

Analysis

Many Native American Communities Struggle With Effects Of Heroin Use

KJZZ News

Native Americans have some of the highest substance abuse rates compared to other ethnic groups. Alcohol and meth are the drugs of choice. Now, cartels are taking advantage of lax police enforcement.

Many Native American Communities Struggle With Effects Of Heroin Use

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How Heroin Made Its Way From Rural Mexico To Small-Town America
Courtesy of Bloomsbury Press

Parallels

How Heroin Made Its Way From Rural Mexico To Small-Town America

With pizza delivery as a model, Mexican cartels revolutionized the heroin trade, making it easily available in smaller U.S. communities. Journalist Sam Quinones has the story in his new book.

How Heroin Made Its Way From Rural Mexico To Small-Town America

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