Price adds to growing popularity of heroin

Staggering figures about heroin show it is quickly becoming the drug of choice among some high school students. From Seattle to Salt Lake County, it appears the availability of stronger and cheaper heroin is a driving factor. Police in the Seattle area say a bag of heroin can cost as little as $5.00. In Utah, that would make heroin cheaper than marijuana and spice. Unified police tell KSL marijuana and spice each sell for $10 to $50 for an eighth of an ounce, depending on the quality.

It's being called an epidemic in the Seattle area. KING 5 News reports 42 students between the ages of 15 and 17 in Stanwood, Wash., are reportedly receiving treatment or are being admitted for the treatment of heroin addiction. One addict points out the painkiller OxyContin costs $60 for a pill while heroin costs only $5.00. Another problem with heroin is the potency. Police in Utah have said in recent months they occasionally see heroin that is 80 to 90 percent pure, rather than 30 to 40 percent pure.