Police issue warning after heroin death

RICHMOND, Ind. (WISH) - An old drug is making a comeback and law enforcement officials say it's leading to deaths across the state. Heroin is gaining popularity because it's cheap and gives users a bigger high than other drugs, police said. But, as one family found out, it can also be lethal.

Josh Houghton, 18, was a star athlete. His parents said he dropped sports when he started doing drugs. They realized he had upgraded from marijuana to heroin in February. The Wayne County teen died earlier this month.

"I started finding syringes and then I grabbed his arm one day at the gas station and saw all the track marks and I threw a fit," said Josh's mother, Marcie Houghton.

The Houghtons begged Josh to quit and even sent him to rehab. They thought he was doing better. But then, on October 14, they found him dead of a heroin overdose.

"It was the worst thing I've ever seen," said Marcie. "The blood and foam and it was everywhere and I'll never get that picture out of my head."

The Hagerstown police said they first noticed the drug enter the community a few years ago and its use has only skyrocketed ever since. In fact, police departments across Indiana said they're seeing a lot more heroin-related arrests.

"We moved out here because we wanted to protect our kids from the dangers of drugs in bigger cities," said Josh's dad, Bill.

According to the Indiana Prevention Resource Center , in the past several years, there has been a greater increase of heroin use among Hoosier teens than teens in any other state.

"It can happen to anyone's child," said Marcie.

Police said the highly addictive drug is also being sold in more potent forms, which is leading to more overdoses.

"I don't think they realize how dangerous it is. We didn't," said Bill.

"It doesn't matter how strong or weak you are, it can take your life," Marcie said.

The Houghton's are holding a demonstration in Hagerstown this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise awareness about the prevalence and dangers of heroin. It'll be on Main Street. The family will be selling T-shirts there to raise money for the DARE program.