Historical Timeline of Heroin Use in the United States

Opioid related deaths soared between 1999 and 2011, while the heroin epidemic also rages on. Although heroin addiction has been a societal problem with many facets and layers, it may have contributed to the acceleration of abuse and dependency on pain medication and other drugs.

Learn more about the historical chronology behind the American heroin epidemic.

A Chronology

Looking through the years, it is easy to see a pattern of how heroin became the epidemic it is now. A brief chronology of heroin-related events contribute to this timeline which demonstrates the early beginnings to present day challenges.

  • 1853: invention of hypodermic needles
  • 1874: synthesis of heroin
  • 1897: Bayer Pharmaceuticals synthesizes heroin and markets the drug for many ailments
  • Early 1900s: physicians notice heavy consumption of cough medicine with heroin
  • 1914: a law is passed against the manufacture and possession of heroin
  • 1971: Nixon Administration declares War on Drugs
  • 1990s: pain medication with oxycodone and hydrocodone become more common, leading to dependency outside of traditional drug culture
  • 2002: post-invasion Afghanistan resumes opium production, eventually producing 95% of the world’s supply
  • 2003: National Drug Intelligence Center reports heroin use is increasing on east coast
  • 2011: The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network reports large increase in amount of teen users of heroin
  • 2013: blacks age 45 to 64 were highest death rate due to overdose in 2000 while in 2013, whites age 18 to 44 had the highest rate (accounting for more than half of heroin-related deaths)
  • 2014: overdose count grows to more than 8000 heroin-related deaths in 2013, up 2,000 from 2012 (double the number from 2010). This goes across gender, age and racial boundaries.
  • 2015: War on Drugs is considered a failure along with backlash against mass incarceration for drug offenses. Policymakers call for new approaches to addiction treatment and new medications naloxone, buprenorphine and methadone are introduced for heroin overdose treatment.

The Damage is Done

Damage has already been done to individuals, families and communities who struggle under the heroin epidemic. The ripple effect crosses many boundaries including the criminal justice system, increased medical costs and emotional costs to loved ones. The effects cumulatively impose a burden on the entire nation at large. Treatment continues to grow in effectiveness and people with addiction can find recovery if it is desired. The key to solving the heroin epidemic is making treatment available.

The Villa is committed to helping resolve the heroin epidemic one person at a time. When you come through our doors, we provide individualized plans and treatment approaches to best suit your needs and goals for recovery. Call us to find out how we can help you fight back against heroin or other drug addictions.

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