In general, most heroin comes from opium poppy farms in SW Asia (the “Golden Crescent,” primarily Afghanistan and Pakistan), SE Asia (the “Golden Triangle,” primarily in Myanmar), and Latin American (primarily Colombia). Heroin trafficking is heavy worldwide. According to U.N. sponsored survey, as of 2004, Afghanistan accounted for production of 87 percent of the world's heroin.

In July 2000, the U.S. Customs Service at Los Angeles International Airport seized 16 packages containing 2.1 million Ecstasy tablets (1,096 pounds) with an estimated street value of at least $41 million.

Heroin withdrawal begins as early as a few hours after the drug was last used. The body needs time to recover, and heroin withdrawal symptoms result. Heroin withdrawal can occur whenever any chronic use is discontinued or reduced. Users also experience severe craving for the drug during withdrawal, precipitating continued abuse and/or relapse. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and typically subside after about a week; however, some individuals may show persistent withdrawal symptoms for months. Some people experience heroin withdrawal during hospitalization for health conditions other than their addiction. There are a few people in these circumstances that do not even realize they are experiencing withdrawal and think they just have the flu.

Since passage of the 2006 Patriot Act which controls public access to pseudoephedrine, limits quantities, and requires identification to purchase the medicine, the number of homemade meth labs has been reduced significantly. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that 75% of all methamphetamine available in the U.S. today is produced in “super labs” operated by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.