MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — While the use of prescription opiates is down, drug expert Carol Falkowski says there’s seeing a record number of people going into treatment for heroin addiction.

“The availability of heroin remains high in the Twin Cities, the purity remains high, and the cost remains low,” Falkowski said.

Falkowski said it’s still not clear as to why prescription opiate use is going down.

“Now, does this mean some of the attention that’s been paid to prescription opiates is paying off, and we are starting to see that tide turn? That remains to be seen,” she said.

Also on the decline is the number of people using synthetic drugs, like bath salts.

“The synthetic THC showed some signs of going up in 2012, but we saw as well a drop in the number of episodes from those using of bath salts, so maybe the word is getting out about bath salts as well,” said Falkowski.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Susie Jones Interviews Falkowski

The report on drug abuse comes out twice a year.