Vermont Governor Says His State is Full of Heroin Addicts

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Governor Calls Opiates Biggest Threat To Vermont Quality Of Life

Governor Peter Shumlin says that the new law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana should allow law enforcement to deal with a more pressing drug problem in Vermont.

“I would argue, that if you want to talk about the biggest threat to our downtowns, to our quality of life, to a low crime rate, which we’ve always enjoyed in this state, to our family members being destroyed by an epidemic, it’s opiates," said Shumlin. "It’s heroin. It’s Oxycontin. It’s all of the issues that are driving crime in this state.”

U.S. Attorney Tris Coffin calls heroin and opiate abuse the largest public safety risk in Vermont right now. Coffin says admissions to drug treatment programs have increased dramatically for heroin since 2009. He says prescription drug abuse has led to the increased use of heroin.

“A lot of time the economics drive it because it’s so much more expensive to get prescription medications on the street than it is heroin," said Coffin. "And if your options to get prescription medications start turning off, that doesn’t mean your addiction does.”

http://digital.vpr.net/post/governor-calls-opiates-biggest-threat-vermont-quality-life

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Governor Calls Opiates Biggest Threat To Vermont Quality Of Life

Governor Peter Shumlin says that the new law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana should allow law enforcement to deal with a more pressing drug problem in Vermont.

“I would argue, that if you want to talk about the biggest threat to our downtowns, to our quality of life, to a low crime rate, which we’ve always enjoyed in this state, to our family members being destroyed by an epidemic, it’s opiates," said Shumlin. "It’s heroin. It’s Oxycontin. It’s all of the issues that are driving crime in this state.”

U.S. Attorney Tris Coffin calls heroin and opiate abuse the largest public safety risk in Vermont right now. Coffin says admissions to drug treatment programs have increased dramatically for heroin since 2009. He says prescription drug abuse has led to the increased use of heroin.

“A lot of time the economics drive it because it’s so much more expensive to get prescription medications on the street than it is heroin," said Coffin. "And if your options to get prescription medications start turning off, that doesn’t mean your addiction does.”

http://digital.vpr.net/post/governor-calls-opiates-biggest-threat-vermont-quality-life

Absolutely true! Vermont has an incredible drug problem. Fortunately the crime rate is still very low because we can carry guns and drug addicts do not mess with us and the dealers do not pull off drive-bys and such. Even a society infested with drugs is safe if good people can be armed.

That said...it is a huge problem. Every weekend the non-resident drug dealers come up on the Mega Bus and the Amtrak train from Boston and New York because no one searches their bags on those means of transport. They set up on street corners in the old north end and deal away. They are two-bit thugs who couldn't stake out a territory in Boston or New York so they come up here. You want some heroin or crack? Go to any of the low rent motels around here on weekends or corners along North Street. They are completely infested with drug dealers.

The cops have a hard time of it and they do occasionally bust up drug houses in the old North End. It is pretty obvious when they do it, they block off a few city blocks and come in with cops from all over. If you see more than 10 cops in one place in Burlington, it can be nothing else.

Good thing we carry guns and can still walk the streets at night safely. I can walk up to one of those crack dealers and ask for change for a $100 bill and no one will bother me.

I do not question it is a "threat" to our low crime rate. I fear that these two-bit thugs are going to start a turf war here...so far that has not happened and there has been only one drug related homicide in the past two years. One out-of-town dealer capped off another out-of-town dealer, so no big loss to society. But I don't want to see that get worse. I am encouraging my fellow Vermonters to make sure they always carry a gun when they leave home. We need to KEEP our state safe from these flatlanders!

FWIW Shumlin is s Democrat. He has an A+ rating from the NRA for his support of gun rights, he is a hunter, firearms owner and outdoorsman. He recently signed the law de-criminalizing marijuana, his first official act as Governor was to get a temporary "Officiates" license ($25) and perform a marragie for a Lesbian couple. He is pro-choice, pro-rights. Overall a good guy! He gets my vote! He is a good liberal like me!

When some fascists in the statehouse got the idea to restrict our gun rights (they are everywhere, you think we are immune from morons?) He shut that down right away. He announced no such thing would happen except to override his veto. Since the bill could not muster more than 3 supporters in the House, it was withdrawn with a whimper.

We will beat this problem of drugs and we will do it without disarming good people.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I appreciate also your continued interest in our state. It is really a wonderful place. Where thousands live like millions want to. I must admit I never spend any of my life looking for articles about California because I really just couldn't care less, plus it is safe to walk outside here, so I tend to do that more than you, I suppose.

We will keep ourselves armed and safe.

You are very thoughtful and selfless. Thanks.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why can't the drug addicts get guns to so they can shoot the good citizens?

[Darnell 8,479]

Spookies? wouldn't you want the drug addicts to shoot the drug dealers, instead? That's always more fun, for the innocent bystanders.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Spookies? wouldn't you want the drug addicts to shoot the drug dealers, instead? That's always more fun, for the innocent bystanders.

Since drug addicts shoot good people in other states, why not in Vermont too? Can a state truly be part of America without drive bys?

[Darnell 8,479]

Spookies, most 'good people' are packing heat, and the drug-addicts remember not to shoot at them.

[OriZ 3,157]

Finally someone with some sense. Opiates are a MUCH worse problem than cannabis ever was or ever will be. Personally I think they should have legalized and not decriminazlied just one ounce, but it's a start. Use those resources to fight heroine and crack, not pot.

[GandD 5,966]

Someone's glad to see Gary back. I think everyone is.