Providing information to Minnesota about preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and related violence since 1981

heroin Resources for Students

Heroin Fast Facts

This fact sheet provides answers to some common questions about heroin. Questions include: what is heroin, what does it look like, how is heroin abused, who uses heroin, what are the risks, and is heroin illegal. A list of street terms is also included (March 2003).

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New CASA Report Finds Adolescent Substance Use at Epidemic Levels

June 29, 2011

CASA’s new national study declares teen smoking, drinking, misusing prescription drugs and using illegal drugs a public health problem of epidemic proportions.

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Painkillers are a gateway to heroin

June 23, 2011

This opinion piece examines the increasing rates of prescription drug abuse and argues that these increasing rates are leading to higher rates of heroin use as well.

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Nearly Three-Quarters of Adult Males Arrested in Minneapolis Test Postive for Illegal Drugs At Time of Arrest

June 15, 2011

Today, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released the 2010 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Annual Report (ADAM II). The 2010 report reveals that nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of adult males arrested for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies in Minneapolis tested positive for at least one drug, illustrating the link between drug use and crime and highlighting the importance of Obama Administration drug policies designed to break the cycle of drug use, arrest, incarceration, release, and re-arrest.

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2010 National Drug Control Strategy

The 2010 National Drug Control Strategy was developed by ONDCP with input from Federal, State, and local partners. It provides a collaborative and balanced approach that emphasizes community-based prevention, integration of evidence-based treatment into the healthcare system, innovations in the criminal justice system, and international partnerships to disrupt drug trafficking organizations.

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How Many Americans Experienced Mental Illness in the Past Year?

Recent data from SAMHSA indicate that 45.1 million adults (19.9 percent) in the United States had mental illness in the past year. Of those, nearly 20 percent of adults (8.9 million) also had a substance use disorder. This two-page article examines substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, and mental health statistics on youth.

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Tips for Teens: Heroin

Informs teens about the dangers of heroin, including short- and long-term health risks and ways the drug affects the brain. Details signs of use, statistics about teen use of heroin, and answers questions about common myths. Lists slang terms for heroin.

Download an electronic version (PDF).