Heroin Use Rises Across Multiple Demographics, CDC Report Finds

Why it matters locally: Vermont has been among the states hardest hit by opioid addiction, making the CDC's findings on rising heroin use particularly relevant to public health officials and treatment providers working across the state.

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Heroin consumption in the United States has increased among both men and women, across various age groups, and throughout all income brackets, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC's Vital Signs report noted the most significant increases occurred within populations previously exhibiting lower rates of heroin use. Specifically, heroin use among women has doubled. Use more than doubled among non-Hispanic white individuals, the report stated. Researchers with the CDC also found that almost all individuals who used heroin within the past year also used at least one other drug. The report did not elaborate on specific combinations or patterns of other drug use.