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One December night, Matt had a brief phone conversation with his worried mother. “He said he was sorry for leaving without telling us and he would be home soon,” she later said. “He sounded fine and was laughing and talking as if nothing were wrong.” Shortly after the phone call ended, Matt injected himself with heroin. But this time, the drug that he had purchased illegally was exceptionally pure and strong. It was too much for his system, and caused an overdose . Early the next morning, the seventeen-year-old was found dead. Matthew McKinney had fallen prey to one of the most addictive and powerful illegal drugs: heroin. At one time, it would be nearly unthinkable for a middle class American teenager to use heroin. But heroin abuse is no longer relegated to the partying rock stars or strung-out junkies of yesterday.

To hear a heroin addict talk about her addiction, scan here:

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Heroin: Devastating our Communities