Probably much more than you imagine. Driving cabs, holding jobs across the spectrum -- it is the $$-cost which so alters the equation that, (once physiologically addicted in the US) -- and with no income: then comes the crime, to try to 'survive', with obvious replay of all those now familiar scenarios. Except for the lunatic few - maintenance dosage does NOT impair most activities, nor 'show' in personality traits - nor noticeably affect health generally. Malnutrition, etc. derive from having no money after getting that artificially-priced fix.

Naturally there are few stats on such users, so it is easy to presume this is an urban myth (our fav art form - those).
Years ago on two occasions I snorted a line of so-called decent grade. I did so not from some wish to experience a kewler-high yada yada, or from some psych. need for the claimed 'release': but hearsay is just that. I wanted to *know* at least something about the attraction, and I trusted that my mental state was adequate to any of those I might discover. (*Nothing* is "the only thing without some risk")

Nausea - the first-time user WILL experience that, such that you don't.. want.. to.. move.. (!) or just very slowly, for some time. Peace. THAT is what is induced. "Nothing matters" very much and, that is a state rarely experienced here -- it is perhaps the Nemesis state of normal Murican 24/7 hustling: for $$, for notoriety? for attention.. or the usual mindless diversion from - anything like silence, from introspection, from solitude.

Two experiences makes me no expert on any aspect, especially as the phenomenon might affect a wide variety of personalities in various life situations. But at least I understand crudely: the appeal. In fact, my view is that -- were we generally as a species, *less bound* to repeat-endlessy some new-found pleasant experience ?? Heroin would be in every medicine cabinet, and several times a year: would facilitate healing from a variety of ugly mindsets. Nothing else comes close, though ALL drug use is about: escaping from a daily 'reality' one WANTS to escape from. Some how..

But we aren't generally possessed of that discretion - we are besotted with comfort or the desire Never to be.. uncomfortable for more than a few minutes.. yada yada. And so: that idea IS a pipe dream, workable only among the few adults (??) as exist here and elsewhere.

IMhO Murica has devolved into an inherently juvenile-focussed society dedicated to the kind of vicarious 'living' seen in escapist 'action' flics; what else does it say about us that, the most popular type of film IS about heaped dead burnt bodies + sirens and car chases? (Pauline Kael was on NPR a few days ago, explaining that she left 'reviewing movies' as -- virtually all the new ones were beneath contempt and, no improvement was in sight). The consumer part is about: imagining that possession of lots of stuff.. makes up for an impoverished inauthentic 'life'. Hah..

So in a way I agree with that part of Marlowe's view of the need for 'prevention', though whatever is done - is bound to fuck with civil liberties - and no such solution can address the ROOT cause:

That we have created an environment of celebrity worship of the banal, of mindless infotainment: that and more is WHAT the wannabe heroin user means to (try to) ESCAPE! Alas, if your head is still fucked-up for whatever constellation of reasons and personal immaturity: heroin won't un-fuck it either!

Thus, I have no nicely packaged 'solution' either, unless it be the impossible one to implement: Gehabt Kindern !! now.. grow up. Then we can all talk - *but not before* - it'll just be more fairy tales about Rugged Induhvidualism and the Murican Way. More about 'machine people' molded to accommodate a 24/7 $-besotted Corporate nation. Heard all that.



Ashton