How do people find heroin????

[LAS14]

If I understand correctly, the current opioid crisis involves people getting hooked on prescription pain killers and then moving on to heroin "because it's cheaper." I can see becoming addicted to pain killers, but how does an ordinary person know even where to begin to look for heroin?? Do you go to a bar in a scuzzy part of town and ask the bartender? What would be your first move?

This is just curiosity. I realize as I ask that people may think I really want the heroin. But, no. Just something I've wondered about for a while.

TIA
LAS

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. Is that a poppy as your avatar?

Ironic.

[teach1st]

2. Pick up clues

People addicted to prescription opioids usually go beyond doctor shopping quickly, and so are often already networked into illegal drug marketing.

To answer your question, short of buying blind on the streets and absent any contacts into the illegal drug trade, it's fairly easy to pick up clues as to who might be using. Addiction can makes it so users aren't that afraid to be aggressive (reckless) with inquiries when they find themselves around people who appear to be knowledgeable and connected.

EDIT: That's how it was decades ago when I was familiar with users. Things change and there may well be social media ways to enter into the market.

[LAS14]

3. Yeah, but as far as I know, I haven't been "around people...

... who are knowledgeable and connected" since, maybe, college.

[Major Nikon]

4. The argument against legalized cannabis is it's a gateway drug

In one sense those that use such illogical arguments are correct, cannabis a gateway drug by virtue of being illegal. By far, the most imported illegal drug coming into the US is cannabis and the distribution networks all the way to the consumer are often the same for other drugs like heroin. So if you're looking for heroin, just ask your illicit pot dealer. Chances are if that dealer doesn't have it, they know someone who does.

[LAS14]

5. Same problem. Wouldn't have any idea how to find an illicit pot dealer. Of course...

... this idea might work in Massachusetts or Colorado. But I take your point. I realize that a lot of people probably do know illicit pot dealers. Maybe people like myself would just luck out and have to give up their opioid addiction for lack of knowledge about a source.

[Major Nikon]

7. Arguably there's less of a chance in states where cannabis is legal

The reason being the illicit dealers are driven farther underground by virtue of legal alternatives. I don't do illegal drugs, but I would have no problem finding them if I did here in Texas. Chances are many of the people you know are using recreational drugs.

[hibbing]

6. I can't even find a pot dealer..it sucks

I'll be dead before it is legal in my state, and driving 500 miles for weed is rather ridiculous.


Peace

[Flaleftist]

8. There are usually areas in major cities where you can find street dealers.

They may hang around certain street corners or around gas stations/liquor stores.

[LeftInTX]

9. Someone approached my son at the Greyhound Bus Station

This was about 7 years ago.

My son was taking the bus to see his girlfriend. Some guy sits down next to him and asks, "Would you like to buy some pain pills?"

So maybe the local Greyhound station?

[LAS14]

10. Yeah, sit on a bench and look really distressed. That might actual

... I'm glad I don't have actually have to solve this problem.

[LeftInTX]

13. I don't think my son even looked distressed!!

Pretty clean cut, happy go lucky type.

If anything he was probably playing video games on his phone.

I think he was 19. Freshman in college.

[Brother Buzz]

11. From the same people peddling black market prescription pain killers

Simple, no?

[Wounded Bear]

12. Hate to say it, but go to some 12 step meetings...

AA, NA, etc



Most people there will be looking for help, yes, but there are connections being made. Don't doubt it. Keep a low profile, watch and listen. Chances are someone might approach you.

Note to the haters who will attack me for this, I've been there and it helped me a lot. But I know what I'm talking about.

[LeftInTX]

14. One of my kids was in AA. I believe it.

[JonLP24]

15. Depends on the environment

From other users or dealers or someone who knows a dealer. If they are addicted to opiods some are likely in that pipeline whether that is doctor shopping or picking up prescriptions or buying prescriptions on the black market because of the dope sickness. Because of the withdrawal many have to run schemes like organized shoplifting which involves other people who have access.

Someone could also offer to sell to you on the street or open air drug markets but most cities don't have those.

[NightWatcher]

16. I found it way tooo strong.

I'm not kidding. It was nearly 20 years ago and I was in college and my group smoked weed like chimneys. Wait, I'm not saying it was a gateway thing. Cannabis is not a gateway drug.

We had been casually passing around mid grade joints when (name redacted) said" let's hit the bong". What we did not know is that he has mixed some heroin into the bowl without telling us. The Octopus water pipe had several tubes that went out from it. Several of us stepped up and toked super hard. It hit us super hard nearly immediately. I don't recall the rest of the evening. The next morning we screamed at dude when he admitted what he did.

We all immediately stopped everything for several months and never tried the H again.

For unrelated reasons, I don't take opiates.