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New York Area Not Immune To Growing Problem Of Parents Using Heroin

NORTH MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Parents getting their drug fix -- even when their kids are watching -- the troubling scenario has played out across the country, including the New York area.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, a call came in at 1 p.m. Wednesday, from a North Massapequa intersection where two young, unsupervised children were throwing stones at cars.

"The unexpected reality of police work, you are being called to a call where a 6-year-old and 8-year-old are throwing stones, and all of a sudden you are arresting two people in possession of heroin and injecting," Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, Nassau County Police said.

Police said the children's father Daniel Bosco, was nearby in a parked van with his neighbor, Daniel Barberis, a registered nurse, who was holding a hypodermic needle, and preparing to inject Bosco's foot with heroin.

Both men were arrested on drug charges, and endangering the welfare of children.

Sadly, it's no longer a shock to see drug abusers using and collapsing in public with children in tow.

A 2-year-old in Lawrence, Massachusetts was left tugging at her mother's limp arm on the floor of a Family Dollar stone.

"That's not what I want my daughter to see, her holding my hand, trying to get me up, crying her eyes out," Mandy McGowen said. "It shouldn't have happened, period."

In East Liverpool, Ohio graphic images surfaced of a couple passed out in a car with a 4-year-old in the back seat.

"Finding the right route to get these people into recovery, and get them the help they need it so important," retired teacher Pam Kelly said.

In arraignment court there was a call for compassion. The nurse's sister said her brother was an Air Force medic in Iraq, and came home with PTSD. The swamped VA is too overwhelmed to help.

"I judge him by his heart, you judge him by his actions. Judge him by his good ones too. He defended your country, and this is how we treat our veterans," Michelle Barberis said.

Both Nassau and Suffolk police are offering heroin overdose prevention and informational seminars at schools and fire houses across Long Island this week.

Families of the Massapequa men said they are both struggling to find the mental and physical help they need to kick the heroin habit.

 

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