Many people believe that the United States is home to worst drug problem in the world.  And while images from the evening news all over America would certainly lead one to that assumption, there are actually much more severe addiction and trafficking situation found elsewhere around the planet.  Here are seven countries that have it bad when it comes to drugs.

Russia

Intravenous drug use has become a huge problem in Russia - especially among teenagers and young adults.  In addition to the drug problem itself, this situation has led to one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics on the planet.  Rates of these diseases (caused by sharing dirty needles) have risen faster than anywhere outside of sub-Saharan Africa.

Iran

Heroin addiction has hit Iran hard, and the fundamental Islamic presence in the country has kept many of the addicted from receiving proper treatment.  Recently, health officials and community groups had to fight just to open a methadone treatment clinic in the country.  HIV/AIDS are also a growing problem in Iran.

Afghanistan

The number one produced of the opium that fuels heroin is a country torn to shreds by drugs.  World surveys have concluded that an unbelievable 90% of all heroin used in Europe can be traced back to this tiny mountainous country.  In addition to trafficking, the country also has a serious heroin addiction problem, with a large percentage of the adult population struggling with a dependence on the drug - and lacking in the proper drug rehab programs to treat it.

The United States

The U.S. is not a big producer or trafficker of drugs, but it is among the world’s top users of illicit substances.  Americans are at the greatest risk for drug related deaths and currently have the most serious cocaine and crystal meth problems in the world.

Great Britain

England has a high accidental overdose rate and is one of the number one users of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin in Europe.  Social mores in the United Kingdom find teenagers and even pre-teens experimenting with highly dangerous drugs at an early age.

It has been almost fifteen years since New York police detectives had to deal with China Cat - a powerful heroin blend that ravaged the world’s largest city in the late summer of 1994.

The 13 accidental overdose deaths that China Cat caused in a single weekend in New York City that year was a tragic occurrence, but also provided a fascinating window into heroin use, and the wide swath of people that make up its user-base.

The New York Times article that broke the story listed a variety of different people who had died that weekend, including a piano tuner, a father of a young boy, older men, young women and others.  They came from both the richest and poorest section of New York, but all were unable to handle the power of the dosage found in China Cat - which like many heroin mixtures contains a much more potent percentage of the drug than in years past.

Now it is 2008, and despite knowing more about the dangers of potent heroin mixtures such as China Cat, groups of lifelong addicts and first time users alike are overdosing because they cannot handle the dosage of the heroin they buy on the streets.  The problem is even more dangerous today, and more and more drug dealers add dangerous synthetic compounds to their drugs in order to deliver a more powerful high.

The only way to avoid accidental heroin overdose is to stop using.  And the best way to conquer heroin addiction is through a top drug rehab program that provides the detox solution and counseling to help individuals get clean and stay that way.

Five ways that heroin use can kill you

Of all the drugs in the world, heroin remains one of the most dangerous.  And while taking any drug to excess open the doors for a variety of serious health problems, heroin features several particularly devastating effects that can snuff out the lives of even the healthiest individuals.

5 ways that heroin can kill

1. Overdose. Heroin use is an inexact science to say the say the least.  Different strengths of the drug are out on the street all the time, and the wrong one can lead to overdose in the individual who is unable to handle it.

2. Heart failure.  Heroin puts a tremendous strain on the heart, and many individuals who are addicted to the drug see their heart eventually just give out.

3. Suicide. One of the symptoms of heroin addiction is depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.  Many addicts feel hopeless and isolated enough to kill themselves.

4. Hepatitis B & C. Those who take the drug intervenously and share needles are at a high risk for these deadly diseases.

5. HIV/AIDS. Like Hepatitis, HIV and AIDS are contracted through the sharing of dirty needles.  In fact more heroin users have died from AIDS than overdose over the past 10 years.

For help conquering heroin addiction, contact Michael’s House today.  The resdiential rehab program at Michael’s House has helped thousands of people defeat addiction and go on to live happy, productive lives.

Gary Dourdan, star of the mega-hit CBS show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has lost his job on the show due to an ongoing battle with drug addiction.  Producers of the show cut the actor loose after his April arrest for felony possession of heroin, ecstasy and cocaine.

The arrest marked the bottoming-out point of a great actor who has struggled with drug addiction for years.

Production of television shows such as CSI are extremely expensive and as such the producers have little patience for anything that could jeopardize the show, such as a star with a drug problem.

While losing his high-profile position must be devastating, one can only hope that it pushes Dourdan closer to drug rehab and receiving the help that he needs.  Hollywood is a forgiving town, and those who are able to get their lives back on track can find themselves with more acting work than they know what to do with in no time!

Whether you’re a celebrity or not, Michael’s House is dedicated to helping you break free of addiction.  Visit www.michaelshouse.com for more information about their residential drug treatment programs.