By selling his body, R. J. earns enough money to pay for his heroin, if nothing else. Gloria Clay, like R. J. a Tenderloin regular, is a little luckier. At 35, she is in a detoxification program and says she is on her way to kicking a heroin habit she picked up two years ago, after being addicted to crack. Her scars keep her motivated. While on drugs, she was kicked by her drug-addicted boyfriend, a beating that cost her an eye and permanently damaged her spine.
Experts compare heroin users to smokers, in that risk accumulates over time.
Many people infected with the hepatitis C virus, for example, do not exhibit symptoms for many years, said Dr. Andrew Moss, professor in residence of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California at San Francisco. But, Dr. Moss said, a segment of those afflicted will develop liver disease, cancer or cirrhosis, and hepatitis C is very infectious. In San Francisco, where young users as well as old overdose routinely, the young are very difficult to reach, because their problems transcend drug use, Dr. Moss said. Matt Dodman is not worried. He is sure he will not overdose, and certain he will remain free of disease.