Stronger Heroin Killing More
May 25, 2010
Mexican drug smugglers are increasingly selling a form of highly potent heroin. It costs as little as $10 per bag and is so pure it can kill unsuspecting users instantly. Black tar heroin—named for its dark, gooey consistency—and other forms of the drug are attracting a new generation of users who are caught off guard by its potency. Authorities are concerned that the potency and price of the heroin could widen the drug’s appeal, just as crack did for cocaine decades ago. The heroin comes in the form of black tar or brown powder, and has proved especially popular in rural and suburban areas. The greater potency allows more heroin users to snort the drug or smoke it and still achieve a sustained high—an attractive alternative for teenagers and suburbanites who do not want the HIV risk or the track marks on their arms that come with repeated injections. “That has opened up heroin to a whole different group of users,” said Harry Sommers, the Agent in charge of the DEA office in St. Louis.
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Abilene Reporter News