Coworker, wife, mother, heroin abuser? The new face of a rising heroin epidemic.
Heroin abuse is not new. But since 2007 there has been a 150% increase in heroin abuse, according to a recent CDC study. The amount of smuggled heroin seized by law enforcement has quadrupled compared to what was seized annually from 2000-2008. Why the dramatic increase?
According to a recent article in the USA Today, about 75% of new heroin abusers first started abusing prescription painkillers. These opiates or morphine-like drugs include OxyContin and Vicodin. Many switch to heroin because it’s cheaper or after the doctor stops prescribing their medication. In comparison a day’s worth of Oxycontin could cost up to $160 for a heavy user, but for heroin only $40.
