Once associated primarily with junkies, this street drug has become exceedingly popular among young, affluent urban professionals and college students. Although less than 2% of high school seniors say they haev tried heroin, more than 31% report that it is an easy drug to obtain. Heroin poses many risks and dangers to users and today poses the additional threat of contracting AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) from contaminated hypodermic needles used to administer it. This objective study considers all aspects of heroin addiction, including its impact on society and the people who use the drug.