The City of Santa Clarita will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m., to update the public on the issue of heroin in Santa Clarita.

One year ago, the City started an outreach campaign, Heroin Kills: The High is a Lie, in response to a spike in heroin related deaths and arrests in the Santa Clarita Valley. The public awareness campaign was meant to inform residents that heroin was in Santa Clarita and devastating families.

One year later, heroin still has a deadly presence in Santa Clarita. Since the original symposium, at least seven fatalities have been recorded from heroin alone, with other related fatal overdoses occurring from the prescription opiate based drug Oxycontin.

Heroin Kills: One Year Later will feature a panel of experts who will tell residents what they need to know to protect themselves and loved ones from the perils of heroin. There will be representatives from public health and public safety organizations, schools and experts in treatment and counseling delivering firsthand knowledge to residents.

Part of the misconception about heroin use by victims is that when smoked or snorted it is safer. According to the SCV Sheriff’s Department, today’s heroin purity levels are much higher than ever. In the past, to get the same sense of euphoria the user had to inject the drug. With purity levels so much higher, it is now possible for the user to reach the same level of euphoria by snorting or injecting. The risk to the user while snorting or smoking is just as lethal as injecting.

Mayor Frank Ferry commented, “One time using heroin is all it takes to overdose or become addicted. It’s as simple as that. Those who struggle with addiction face an uphill battle that often tears families apart. Teens and young adults need to wake up to the fact that heroin is deadly and parents need to know how to keep their kids safe.”

The program will feature a resource fair at 6 p.m. with the main program happening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Speakers will include Mayor Frank Ferry, SCV Sheriff’s Captain Paul Becker, local emergency physician Dr. Darrin Privett, counseling and recovery expert Cary Quashen, Coordinator of Student Services for the William S. Hart Union School District Kathy Hunter, Tim Traurig from A Light of Hope and others who are on the front lines of the war on Heroin in Santa Clarita. The evening will also preview the new Drug Free Youth In Town (DFYIT) program, which is being launched valley-wide through August and September. Parents are strongly urged to attend to be able to equip themselves with the knowledge to help keep their children safe. For more information go to HeroinKills.org.