Thanks to you all for this dialog. I am a victim of a heroin addict from Whitman. He stole thousands of dollars from me, my husband and our 3 young children. Once a productive and talented builder, his habit took such a hold on him, he resorted to swindling innocent people out of money. Once I found out that he was an addict, I read as much as I could about this disease. I can't belive how prevalent it is in our small towns and how little people know about it.

Because of him, I had to tell my children, as young as 5 years old, why this person, who seemed so nice, stole from us. This is the bright side to the story.

We had been in the criminal process for 8 months trying to get our money back when he died of an overdose at his Whitman home in February. He had two small children and my heart aches for these poor, innocent victims. Why didn't this make headlines??

This man was not a victim, he chose to do what he did. There are no excuses to be made for what he did -- he hurt some good, innocent people. I read somewhere that 95% of heroin addicts don't get better. I hoped that he would be in the 5% minority because the sober person was not a bad guy -- just a guy with children and a huge problem. The addict, however, was a horrible beast.

I applaud anyone who's been able to overcome the addiction, but have no sympathy. No one starts out wanting to be an addict, but one has to know that that is exactly what will happen if you "try" heroin.

I am so sorry for your experience with this. But sadly it wont end and people like you will continue to be the victims of addicts destructive behavior. Why didnt it make headlines? Good question. Maybe because that would put it in print that Whitman may have a heroin problem. People asscocite this drug with low lifes and back alleys and they dont want to hear about it in their town. Thats why I say educate yourself, which you seem to have started doing. I know how you feel. I lived this nightmare for four years sleeping with my pocketbook under my pillow. I didnt know what to look for for signs in the beginning. Opiate abuse starts for alot of kids with pre_script_ion meds right out of their medicine cabinets. I dont know the circumstances of what happened with the man your talking about but I do know that my kids were at party in highschool when oxycontin was there from someone who had ther wisdom teeth out. They were kids and were told its just a pill, you'll have a good time....no idea that it was actually heroin. More than 12 kids graduated heroin addicts that year. You have kids of your own and seen what heroin can do to someone.....please educate them and yourself because heroin doesnt discriminate.

Addiction is not a moral issue. Anyone can become addicted to drugs or alcohol (a drug itself).

In AA, there is a saying, "It is not my fault but it IS my responsibility."

Although numerous programs exist to help addicts, addicts need to hit a bottom and WANT to get help.

Intervention by families sometimes works.

In the end, as AA would believe, it may be "the Grace of God."

But do not assume that you, your children, your friends are immune.

Alcohol and drugs are a killer. Heredity is thought to play a role.

My respect goes out to those kids who vow NEVER to pick up a drink or a drug.....because you can never tell who is going to be susceptible to becoming an addict to alcohol or drugs.

People who associate with addicts put themselves at risk. That is why organizations such as Alanon exist.

If you are coping with an addict, that is a good place to go. It will not tell you how to "cure" an addict, because you cannot do that. But it WILL help you preserve your sanity/family life. "Detach with love," is sometimes the best solution.

But please do not make moral judgments. Drugs/alcohol do not discriminate. You can separate without setting yourself up as morally superior.

Do not protect or enable, either. That does not help.

I have to admit I'm only half kidding when I say that the grace of God is not going to get my $60,000 back. I know that my friends and family are not immune. I've seen other types of addiction and the toll it takes. I just feel like it's not fair that people look at me and ask, "why did you give your money to a heroin addict. How could you not know?". As if somehow I did something wrong. The truth is that you don't know who an addict is by looking at him/her.

It's sad that the 3 people on this log are the only ones reading this note. I hope to some day gather more awareness of this issue. I hope to God that my children never try drugs, but know that there is only so much I can do to prevent it. I don't judge anyone, but I do expect individuals to take responsibility for their actions. We all have a choice, I pray that my children don't make the wrong one! Thanks for listening.

All this discussion on our forums has been informative and interesting, thanks to all who have participated. I believe it's worth while for the paper to start looking into the amount of discarded needles being found in Whitman, for a story in the paper. If anyone is interested in telling their story, on the record, please call me at 781-293-0420 or e-mail editor@whitmanexpress.com. I'm really looking for someone who lives near the park, or who has found needles themselves, to talk about how this makes you feel and what you think the town should do about it. Thanks,

- Justin

i understand where everyone is coming from. but being someone who just went through high school, i can say that the vast majority of people between 19-27 years old do not do heroin or opiates, or pass them around school for even that matter. someone with that addiction isnt like everyone else, they have a serious, serious drug addiction. please dont make it seem like the world is completly overridden by drugs because i completly disagree. i mostly disagree with whitman being compared to a city. in real cities, there are gangs, people getting shot, places getting robbed. just because there are a few junkies being dirty pigs throwing needles in the street after use, doesnt make the town or area as a whole, drug infested. you all sound like you googled heroin or something. becauuse you all think you know what your talking about.