Prosecutor: First heroin addict 'didn't let me down'

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said the phone hasn't stopped ringing with calls from heroin addicts who want to talk to him about their addiction.

The phone calls to Gmoser's hotline, 888-662-3673, have come since Thursday, when he put out a call through the media asking for heroin addicts or recovering addicts to meet with him confidentially for a chat on what got them started

As of Sunday afternoon, he said he had calls from 63 people. He met with his first addict Monday afternoon.

"And she didn't let me down," Gmoser said.

The 36-year-old woman told him about being first addicted to pain pills after being prescribed them for a legitimate medical reason.

She went to street drugs then heroin after her doctor discontinued her painkiller prescription, Gmoser said, adding that she is now using suboxone and counseling to recover from her heroin addiction.

Gmoser said his staff is scheduling a meeting every day except when he has conflicts, such as a trial.

On Monday, he provided a glimpse into what he plans to do with what he hears from heroin addicts.

"This is the first step in a broader solution or approach. Education is the key in all of this stuff. I've got a generation out there from 7 years of age to 17. If I can get into the heads of people who have not shoved that needle in their arms yet, then I will have accomplished something. And I think I can do it," Gmoser told The Enquirer.

He said the female addict said she will volunteer to talk to elementary and high school students when Gmoser eventually starts those visits.

Gmoser said he's trying to find a way to get to the root of the heroin epidemic to help fix it.