Why would heroin contribute to his early death? If you don't overdose (a real risk) about the worst opiates do is cause constipation. No major organ damage and opiate users have lived well into old age.

Dr. Halsted was one of the "Big Four" founding professors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and lived until 1922 - 70 years old. Addicted to morphine for much of his adult life.

Opiates are dangerous and highly addictive and people should stay away from them except for serious pain management. However they aren't going to do the kind of cumulative organ damage that cigarettes and alcohol abuse do.