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Heroin

Brief Description

Heroin is an opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. Heroin usually appears as a white or brown powder or as a black sticky substance, known as “black tar heroin.” Learn more

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Statistics and Trends

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Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Heroin for 8th Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2016 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period 8th Graders 10th Graders 12th Graders
Heroin Lifetime 0.50 0.60 0.70
Past Year 0.30 0.30 0.30
Past Month 0.20 0.20 0.20

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous MTF Data

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National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Trends in Prevalence of Heroin for Ages 12 or Older, Ages 12 to 17, Ages 18 to 25, and Ages 26 or Older; 2015 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period Ages 12 or Older Ages 12 to 17 Ages 18 to 25 Ages 26 or Older
Heroin Lifetime 1.90 0.10 1.80 2.10
Past Year 0.30 0.10 0.60 0.30
Past Month 0.10 0.00 0.30 0.10

^ indicate low precision; no estimate reported.
Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous NSDUH Data

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This page was last updated May 2016

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