October 18, 1997
With heroin use on the rise, getting the facts about heroin abuse and addiction to the public has never been more important.
Several factors including increases in heroin use, particularly among our Nation's youth, the glamorization of heroin in the music and fashion industries, changing patterns of drug use, and heroin's increased purity and decreased prices make it imperative that the public have the latest sci-entific information on this topic.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed this publication to provide an overview of the latest research findings on heroin abuse and addiction.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and its abuse has repercussions that extend far beyond the individual user. The health and social consequences of drug abuse -- HIV/AIDS, violence, tuberculosis, fetal effects, crime, and disruptions in family, workplace, and educational environments -- have devastating impacts on society and cost billions of dollars each year.
Fortunately, the availability of treatments to manage addiction, particularly heroin addiction, and the promise of new treatments from research provide hope for individuals who suffer from addiction and for those around them.
We hope this compilation of scientific information on heroin will help to inform readers about the harmful effects of heroin abuse and addiction and will assist in prevention and treatment efforts.
Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D.
Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse