Drug abuse inflicts a great deal of damage on society. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the cost of illicit drug abuse is estimated at $97.7 billion annually. This figure includes  health care costs and crimes that are associated with drug abuse,  the cost of imprisoning drug offenders, and the cost of lost productivity. It does not include the thousands of addicts every year who are killed by illicit drugs.

Illicit drugs are associated with a wide range of health effects, including cardiovascular disease. Injected drugs (e.g., heroin) have been shown to cause heart attack and stroke. The needles used to inject the drug have been connected to potentially fatal infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), blood poisoning (septicemia) and an inflammation of the lining of the heart and valves (endocarditis). Cocaine, meanwhile, has been associated with a wide range of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and abnormal heart rhythms.

People who have a drug problem or who know someone with a drug problem are urged to seek help immediately. The first step is to talk with a primary care physician, a trusted friend, a counselor or a religious advisor. This article documents the serious cardiovascular risks associated with using illicit drugs.