Is 'Flashblood' the Latest Trend for Heroin Use in New Milford?

New Milford Police Officer, Christopher Shaw, was the first one to see them — syringes filled with a red substance.

According to the Republican-American, Officer Shaw pulled over a minivan being driven by Tiffany Larmore, and what he said he saw were around 200 empty wax folds of heroin and cocaine scattered throughout the minivan. Some were empty, while some of the syringes were filled with a red substance, which turned out to be blood mixed with heroin — also known as "Flashblood" or "Flushblood".

Flashblood is defined as an intravenous drug administration technique used by intravenous drug users. The syringe full of blood is passed from someone who has just injected heroin to someone else who injects it instead of the pure heroin. The practice originated in Tanzania and Kenya. New Milford Police are pretty sure this is their first experience with needle and blood sharing.

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Blood mixed with heroin is a desperate and extremely risky measure that addicts will use to ward off withdrawal symptoms when they can't obtain or afford to buy heroin. In my opinion, it can only be described as "nasty".

My son, EJ, who's a recovering addict told me that addicts will do anything to get their next fix, even if it means stealing money or jewelry from mom and/or dad or even friends. The only thing heroin is good for is ruining lives and nothing else. One last thing, my son once told me before he got clean:

Dad, I told myself I would never ever try heroin, but in a weak moment I did, and I was instantly hooked.

Is ‘Flashblood’ the Latest Trend for Heroin Use in New Milford?