Shaming heroin addicts may backfire

We heard about the biggest drug bust ever by the state's organized crime task force where $13 million worth was taken off the streets. It highlights the huge demand for these drugs have never been higher. The new trend of "shaming" busted addicts may not be helping the problem.

Millions across the world have now seen these disturbing images where parents and caregivers are passed out on drugs. Police say they released these images to show the public how dangerous drugs can be, but not everyone agrees.

For example, images have gone viral where a little girl is crying over her mother who has overdosed in a Massachusetts store. Another viral picture shows a little boy in Ohio sits bewildered in the back seat where his grandmother and her boyfriend are slumped over from a drug overdose. These indelible images have now shocked the world

Both police departments, who released the video and pictures, contend it was done to raise drug abuse awareness.

According to the national safety council 47,000 people die from a drug overdose every year.

Psychologist Dr. Harris Stratyner, who specializes in addiction, believes shaming is antiquated approach that can actually backfire. “When you shame people, you raise their defense mechanisms and the defenses that keep people out of treatment,” said Dr. Stratyner.