The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports an estimated 81,000 new heroin users in 1997—and suggests that this estimate may be on the low side. Nearly 90 percent of new users were under the age of 26. (In 1992, only 61 percent were under 26.)

A branch of NIDA that collects data on drug-related hospital emergency department episodes (ED) from 21 metropolitan areas, estimates that 14 percent of all drug-related ED episodes involve heroin. ED episodes more than doubled between 1991 and 1996. During the same time, ED episodes involving youths aged 12 to 17 nearly quadrupled.

NIDA also provides information about the nature and patterns of drug abuse in 21 cities. Heroin was the primary drug of abuse recorded in drug abuse treatment missions in Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York and San Francisco.

Sources: Cox News Service, National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series.