Heroin addict started using at 11 with Mom, she tells judge

YOUNGSTOWN

Heather Upole told a judge Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that she began using drugs at age 11 with her mother.

The 31-year-old mother of two, who was pleading guilty to a felony charge of possession of heroin and misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs, also said she is looking forward to working for really the first time in her life when she finishes her drug treatment program at the Community Corrections Association, which she was sentenced to complete within six months.

“That has to be a really good feeling to earn your own money,” Upole said.

Upole’s lawyer, Jamie Dunn, told the judge his client is so serious about getting help for her addiction that if CCA did not have an available bed for her she wanted to be sent to prison for six months because she knows she needs help.

“I find that a lot of this problem stems from your environment and your family,” Judge D’Apolito said.

Read more of their remarks in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.