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Drug Counselor Warns Of Deadly 'Blue Bag Heroin' In Westchester County

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- There is a new form of heroin making it away around Westchester and the consequences could be fatal, according to the founder of a recovery program.

Scott Gillet, a drug counselor in Briarcliff Manor, is warning people about a new form of heroin.

Scott Gillet, a drug counselor in Briarcliff Manor, is warning people about a new form of heroin.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Scott Gillet, the creator and founder of the Briarcliff Institute For Recovery And Development (BIRD), an outpatient program, is warning people about a new form of heroin called blue bag heroin.

Gillet, who generally treats teenagers, said six teens have told him about the heroin, which is brown and chunky.

"It's so strong," Gillet said. "It's the equivalent of five or six regular street bags."

The blue bag of heroin is cheap, costing about $10 a bag or $100 a bundle. Gillet said he has only heard of it being in Westchester.

"Kids have gotten sick and overdosed," Gillet said. "One kid went to the hospital. Three blue bags of heroin will kill you."

Gillet said the kids who are in recovery are doing better and have not used it in a couple of weeks.

Any parent who suspects their child is using heroin should get them treatment and tell them to stay away from the blue bag, Gillet said.

"This is not regular normal heroin," Gillet said. "This is really dangerous."

Signs of heroin use include dilated pupils, pale skin and the mouth slanted down, along with a runny nose and significant weight loss.

Heroin is not just an inner-city problem, Gillet cautioned.

"You can get this in any town in Westchester," Gillet said. "I love Briarcliff, but we're no different than any other town. Yorktown has a huge heroin problem."

BIRD has been in Briarcliff for almost 20 years with a staff of six people. It offers yoga class and meditation, among other alternatives for drug use.

"We're a safe place to go," Gillet said. "We never turn anyone away due to economics."

Gillet said heroin use is becoming more widespread since it is cheaper than painkiller and can be easier to get. 

Earlier this week, more than 23 people were arrested for selling heroin in Westchester as part of a year-long investigation.

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