Tracking the Incidence of Heroin Use: Is There a Possible Epidemic?

• NCJ Number: 153444
• Author(s): D E Hunt; W Rhodes
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 35 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Executive Office of the President
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

An analysis of trends in heroin use and their implications for a potential new heroin epidemic revealed increased availability of heroin in the last decade, as well as a drop in price and a rise in purity.

Abstract

This trend, first noted in the northeast in the late 1980's, has since spread across the country. The trend has apparently resulted in increased heroin consumption by older, established users. It may also have led to increased inhalation of the higher-purity substance by both initiates and returning users. These trends also indicate that recovering heroin addicts are experiencing relapses at greater rates than before and that heavy cocaine users are turning more often to polydrug use, using heroin to moderate the agitation caused by the effects of cocaine. Commenting on these findings, Dr. Lee Brown, the Director of the Office of national Drug Control Policy, noted that the office will continue to monitor these trends and develop strategies to address them. Figures, tables, and footnotes