This infographic shows how heroin has changed from a mostly urban problem in the United States to one mostly found in suburban and rural areas. Both the area and typical user of heroin have changed since the 1960’s. Most users are now white, young adults, and in equal parts men and women. In fact, about 90% of first-time users in the last decade were white.
So, what’s causing the increased usage? There are a few reasons that take centre stage – increasing scarcity of prescription opiates used to treat pain, heroin is more available than ever before, heroin is decreasing in price but also increasing in purity, and first-time users are naive about the dangers of addiction.
Now that we’ve answered the “why”, it’s time to address the “who.” The DEA has identified Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Colombia as major exporters of heroin to the United States. As the Northeast has the greatest amount of concern for heroin addiction, intercepting heroin routes will be key to preventing dealers from getting their supply. Hopefully, law enforcement and medical professionals will also be able to work together to help addicts heal.
An Infographic by JourneyPure.
