From 1991 to 1995, heroin use among the nation's young people roughly doubled, while the percentage of teens that considered heroin use dangerous declined. There were a variety of reasons for these shifts, none more critical than the increased purity of the drug.
Today, heroin use among teenagers is still popular, and it is easier than ever for teens to find a heroin dealer in suburban areas.
How Heroin is Abused
Heroin can be snorted/sniffed through the nose, smoked, or injected into the bloodstream using a needle (usually through the arm). These routes of administration rapidly deliver the drug to the brain. All three methods of administering heroin can lead to addiction and other severe health problems. They are all equally dangerous and can cause death.
Did You Know
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 29.7% of 12th graders say that it is easy to obtain-12.6% of 8th graders say that they can obtain heroin.