I wonder what that would be broken out by intake mechanism. Heroin can be smoked a few different ways, eaten in brownies, eaten as pills, insufflated, or injected.

From what I understand, the addiction mechanism for heroin is more subtle then non users think. Its easy to try once, enjoy it, and then not be compelled to do it again. The problem is many users see the lack of negative experiences on their first use as sign that the drug is "safe", so they use a month later, and it still ok, so they quickly start to use most weekends, ramping up until they use every day.

Similar to you, an old boss of mine well experienced with drugs told me the only two drugs he would advise people against are heroin and crack. Heroin because you're always going to remember your first time and its amazing, and crack because you will be amazingly high for 10 minutes, crash, and really feel the insanely strong need to take another hit.

Why would you believe that aside from taking DARE classes? There is so much FUD in the drug space that it clouds proper judgement.

Probably because we don't generally become aware of anyone's heroin usage, whether they're a celebrity or someone you know, until it's a problem spiraled out of control. Most people never see non-addictive, non-destructive recreational use.

Mainly because that's the only information most of us ever get.

yep its true and very possible, while i have not tried street heroin i have tried the pharmaceutical version of it along with other opiates both weaker and stronger. ive also tried just about anything you could name but im not addicted to anything and never have been, i have a solid job and have never been in any trouble with the police etc

so you can trust me when i say there is no such thing as a "if you do it once youre hooked forever" chemical or certainly not in the 100+ unique psychoactive chemicals i have tried.

feel free to ask any questions you may have

I certainly would like to discuss psychedelics more with people who have actual experience with them. I find the topic very interesting but I don't know anybody who has experience.