How Non-Heroin Users Perceive Heroin Users and How Heroin Users Perceive Themselves

Abstract

Smokers, problem drinkers and a sample of non-smoking, non-illicit using light social drinkers differed from heroin users in their perceptions of the ‘heroin addict’. When compared to heroin users, non-heroin users perceived heroin users to be ‘dangerous’ and ‘unassertive’ while heroin users perceived heroin users to be ‘harmless’ and ‘assertive’. The findings are discussed in relation to drug intervention programmes and health education overall.

Key Words:

• Heroin users
• stereotyping