Heroin is the second most dangerous drug threat to the U.S., behind cocaine. There are about 600, 000 heroin addicts in the U.S., with growing numbers of
teenagers &
young adults experimenting. This report focuses on the opium & heroin production threat in Southwest Asia, Russia, & the
Central Asian Republics & the immediate threat to the U.S., efforts to address this threat, & obstacles to counternarcotics strategies & programs in these regions. Also discusses efforts to control diversion of opium produced in India for use by U.S. pharmaceutical firms. Charts & tables.