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Helpful Links

NIH logoWhat are Opioids? Opioid drugs include heroin but also doctor-prescribed drugs that relieve pain.

Heroin and Other Opioids Learn about heroin and other opioids as well as how to take action against this epidemic.

Facts and Information about Heroin from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids - Learn exactly what heroin is, the effects, street names, how it is used, and more.

Basic and Easy to Understand Fact Sheet about Heroin - Above the Influence fact sheet that focuses on what heroin is and the risks associated with use.

Information on Heroin Abuse - DrugAbuse.com Individuals who abuse heroin may exhibit a number of signs and symptoms. However, not all abusers will react to heroin in the same way. While signs and symptoms of abuse may vary from person to person, most people exhibit certain symptoms and behaviors indicative of an abuse problem.

Heroin Overview and Signs of Use - WebMD A basic overview from WebMD of the signs and symptoms of heroin abuse and health risks associated with heroin use.

Heroin Overview and Signs of Use - Addictions.com provides a comprehensive overview of heroin addiction signs and symptoms and a look at the serious damage to the mind, body, and general quality of life.

Heroin Research Report - This comprehensive research report series from NIH offers the latest scientific information on heroin use, statistics, consequences of use, and treatment options available for those struggling with heroin addiction.

Heroin Statistics and Trends - This quick reference offers a look at heroin use with the 2015 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey and the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Also included are links to more educational resources on heroin.

Heroin Prevention Program Research and Evaluation - The Robert Crown Center Heroin Prevention Program focuses on primary prevention, providing middle school and high school students, their parents and school staff with the scientific and social/emotional learning content to understand the risk of drug use, specifically targeting prescription pain medication and heroin.

What is Heroin? - A resource from NIDA for Teens to help teens understand the science behind drug abuse. Information is provided to teens about what heroin is, how heroin is used, the effects of heroin, information on heroin addiction, and what to do if they know someone who abuses heroin.

Heroin: What Parents Need to Know
A basic overview from KidsHealth.org to assist and educate parents on what heroin is, how it is used, and what heroin does to the brain and body.

Understanding Suburban Heroin Use – Executive Summary 

Understanding Suburban Heroin Use – Full Report
The Robert Crown Center Heroin Prevention Program focuses on primary prevention, providing middle school and high school students, their parents and school staff with the scientific and social/emotional learning content to understand the risk of drug use, specifically targeting prescription pain medication and heroin. The Robert Crown Center for Health Education (RCC), in partnership with the Reed Hruby Foundation, commissioned original research conducted by the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy which provides the basis for RCC’s heroin prevention education.

What is fentanyl? - Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is much more powerful.

Misuse of Prescription Drugs - Physicians, their patients, and pharmacists all can play a role in identifying and preventing nonmedical use of prescription drugs.

Prescriptions and Over the Counter Medications - Some medications have mind-altering properties and, because of that, are sometimes abused—that is, taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed.

Toolkits and Infographics

CADCA logoCADCA's Online Rx Prevention Toolkit - CADCA's Online Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit contains facts, strategies, and tools to prevent and reduce teen Rx medicine abuse in your community. This newly revised toolkit is based on CADCA’s Seven Strategies for Effective Community Change. Incorporating these strategies will help you formulate, modify and implement your prevention and intervention strategies

Operation Prevention Parent Toolkit

Educator Resources