Heroin use is spiking among white Americans

A new study conducted at Columbia University reveals that the heroin use in the U.S. has increased since 2001, and the largest spikes have been among white Americans. 'We are seeing that heroin use has increased in the past 10 years,' said lead author Dr Silvia Martins, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. 'It is more prominent among whites with lower incomes and education and young adults.' Researchers believe that prescription painkiller abuse may be playing a role in heroin's growing popularity.