Is there a connection between prescription drugs and heroin?

Abuse of prescription opiate pain killers (i.e., Oxycontin and Vicodin) are behind heroin's growth in popularity with young people: these pills are the doorway to heroin abuse.


Youth become addicted to pain killers initially by helping themselves to their parent's prescriptions (or those of friends' parents). They then need to buy on the 'street', but the pills cost between $20 to $50 each. Heroin is much cheaper and easier to get.


Between 2004 and 2008, at least 1,068 people on Long Island died in overdoses of either heroin or prescription opiates.


Learn more on our Prescription Drug Abuse page.

Show All Answers

1. What is heroin?
2. What are the facts about heroin?
3. Who uses heroin?
4. How is heroin used?
5. What is the attraction of heroin?
6. What are the long-term consequences of heroin use?
7. Is there a connection between prescription drugs and heroin?
8. How can I prevent my child from becoming addicted?
9. How to know when someone needs help?
10. What kind of treatment services are there?
11. How do I make an intervention happen?
12. What is the mission of the Herion Prevention Task Force?
13. Where can I find some resources related to heroin abuse?
14. Where can I find information to share with my teen about heroin abuse?
15. How do I contact the Heroin Prevention Task Force?