Drug Dealers Target Addicts in Recovery

Recovering addicts in Albany County, New York, have been specifically targeted by drug dealers, it seems. Four suspects were arrested for selling drugs to recovering addicts who were receiving treatment at the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services Center. "They threw them the bait and some bit," says Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. "It's unfortunate. These people are trying to turn their lives around." Those arrested were said to be selling heroin, Xanax and methadone pills—and one suspect was even seen selling heroin while holding her two-month-old baby. This isn’t the first time drug dealers have taken advantage of addicts in recovery: back in 2010, undercover agents arrested three men in Arizona who were selling cocaine and heroin to addicts fresh out of treatment programs. The drug dealers would seek out users who had gone through rehab, and try and sell them drugs the same day that they exited treatment. "These people are going down there and taking advantage of the addicts—and they're addicts themselves," said Apple of the latest incident. "It's a horrible cycle."