Addiction. Overdose. Death.

Heroin abusers face these life threatening consequences, and many more.

According to about.com, addiction is the result of tolerance built up after long-term use, and after a while the drug will stop producing the euphoric feeling abusers are seeking, and they become physically dependent on the drug.

Because of this addictive nature, naive abusers should be aware of the consequences of this deadly substance. Many of these consequences include infections of the heart lining and valves, liver disease, kidney disease, and skin infections, which can result from heroin as well unsterile needles used to inject this lethal substance, according to about.com.

These devastating consequences can potentially lead to death.

“As a direct consequence of drug use, 730 persons died in Missouri in 2007,” stated the Missouri Drug Control Update.

Accidental overdose is potentially the most dangerous side effect.This lethal condition results from the unpredictability of heroin. Heroin can be handled and cut (mixed with other ingredients) by various suppliers before it reaches the buyer, which leaves the user unaware of how potent or pure the substance is until he uses it, about.com.

The district has taken precautions to fight the war on drugs by implementing the random drug test program which can test any student for the presence of drugs if  currently involved in an extracurricular activity or student group.

The district stated Oct. 26, 2011, “ [Drugs can] be detrimental to the physical and mental health of students, [and] the District has a program for drug education, testing and counseling/rehabilitation to assist and benefit all students.”

As much as the district and parents are involved in educating students with proper decision making, the course students take to ultimately live or die, is up to them.