"Stairway to Heroin:" At West Allis Central, parents urged to talk with kids about drug dangers

WEST ALLIS -- Officials in West Allis explained the dangers of heroin and prescription drugs at the "Stairway to Heroin" event at West Allis Central High School on Tuesday, March 15th.

Recovering addicts, law enforcement officials and others spoke to more than 100 people about the drug -- covering everything from warning signs to treatment.

Organizers said they want parents to understand they're still the most powerful influence in their child's life and encourage them to talk with their children.

"You can't experiment with heroin. When you use it, it takes you and it takes your life. Either you're in recovery or it takes you and you die. There's really not that many more options with heroin and we want parents to really understand the magnitude of that," Joanie Luedke, with the Heroin/Opiate Task Force said.

The program started and ended with a resource fair -- putting families in touch with those in the community fighting against the heroin epidemic.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Wisconsin Department of Justice's "Dose of Reality" campaign, aimed at curbing heroin and prescription drug abuse.