The area around Pioneer Park and Rio Grande Street’s homeless shelter has long been a place to score illegal drugs. Crack cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol were the substances of choice until about 2013 or ’14. Then heroin swept in and amped up everything.
It’s no longer a drug deal here and there. Now, drugs are passing hands nonstop, 24/7. It is not uncommon to see addicts shooting up in broad daylight.
Addiction has shoved women and men out of jobs, out of homes and onto the street in a never-ending chase for the next fix.