Introduction 4
What is heroin? 6
Is heroin addictive? 10
Overdose and withdrawal 14
A widespread problem 16
A lengthy history 18
The modern era 22
Who takes heroin? 24
Getting hold of heroin 28
Wider effects 30
Price and prevalence 32
The heroin industry 34
The illegal trade 36
Legal matters 40
Life with heroin 42
Treatment and counselling 46
People to talk to 50
Glossary 52