The Growing Heroin Problem

The drug that reportedly killed Philip Seymour Hoffman – heroin – is increasingly more common in American life, and is increasingly a bigger public health problem.

FOX News Radio’s Bill Vitka reports:

Plentiful supply explains in part the growing prevalence of heroin. Production has been ramped-up in Latin America. Also on the rise is the drug’s purity — which makes it more lethal. But as heroin becomes more visible, it may be easier to fight, according to rehab expert Charlie Allen.

(Allen) “Now that it’s in the public eye it gives more hope to people. They see… okay, this is a problem, I’m not alone and I can get help.”

There is another factor. Prescription pills such as oxycodone have been the target of a crackdown by law enforcement. They’re harder to get and more expensive. Heroin is filling that gap. An estimated 80% of the people who try heroin for the first time were using prescription painkillers.

Bill Vitka, FOX News Radio.