Shumlin lifts veil on heroin abuse in Vermont

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Governor Peter Shumlin used his entire annual address Wednesday to implore citizens to “stop quietly averting our eyes from the growing heroin addiction in our front yards.” In a sparsely populated state known for rolling pastures and iconic brands of butter and ice cream, Shumlin lifted the veil on a “full-blown” crisis. The state has seen a 250 percent increase in heroin treatment since 2000, twice the number of deaths from heroin overdoses last year compared with the year before, and five times more federal indictments against heroin dealers than in 2010.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2014/01/11/governor-shumlin-lifts-veil-heroin-abuse-vermont/HGUkQlogvVtxZC2C1YiZfL/story.htm

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

But, that would sugget Vermont isn't this perfect utopia of cow chips and guns? How is this possible?

[Teddy B 17,252]

If the state of Vermont would loosen drug laws and allow anyone to shoot up, heroin use would go down. I hear concealed carry for needles is soon to be on the books.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Teddy B

[mota bhai 2,675]

Allow citizens to shoot heroin users on sight and heroin usage will plummet.

As with all problems afflicting humankind on this green earth, the solution grows out of the barrel of a gun.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Heroin crisis in Vermont, eh? It makes perfect sense now. Late night drive by's and all...

[Karee 4,190]

Hmm. Rampant Heroin use in Vermont. That explains alot.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hmm. Rampant Heroin use in Vermont. That explains alot.

Indeed.

[lostinblue 1,989]

So there is no Heroin use in your home town? News reports say it sells for what $4/pop... I say execute every drug dealer including weed.... As I said before You are not keeping drugs out of peoples hands then in no way will you do the same with firearms.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So there is no Heroin use in your home town? News reports say it sells for what $4/pop... I say execute every drug dealer including weed.... As I said before You are not keeping drugs out of peoples hands then in no way will you do the same with firearms.

Execute people summarily eh? Hardly in the best tradition of American liberty. More like the sort of thing that would appeal to the fat boy running North Korea.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Execute people summarily eh? Hardly in the best tradition of American liberty. More like the sort of thing that would appeal to the fat boy running North Korea.

They all have a secret crush on Kim.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Vermont is the only true free state in the country. Even junkies can have guns. But at least they don't steal to support their habit because the people they steal from may have a gun too. Stalemate.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Vermont is the only true free state in the country. Even junkies can have guns. But at least they don't steal to support their habit because the people they steal from may have a gun too. Stalemate.

Or maybe the people they steal from simply don't notice 'cause they're high.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Or maybe the people they steal from simply don't notice 'cause they're high.

Maybe everyone in Vermont is a junkie.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Maybe everyone in Vermont is a junkie.

That's what the governor seems to suggest. But then, maybe he's high too.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

That's what the governor seems to suggest. But then, maybe he's high too.

Could be. Never know about the Green Mountain Boys.