This action kit was created in response to a rise in heroin use. Facts are provided about the scope of heroin use since it is the one illegal drug that is growing in popularity in some areas among young people. A brief explanation of some treatment options is provided including detoxification, methadone treatment, other medications, and behavioral therapies. Local leaders from New York, Alabama, and Arizona describe what their communities are doing about heroin use. Facts are provided to help mental health professionals take a leadership role to make the case for expanding services if treatment options are not available in a community. Information is also provided on how to form a community epidemiology working group to gather statistics on substance abuse among community members. Once facts are gathered about heroin, other drugs, and alcohol problems locally, action can be taken to create policies, develop programs, and educate policymakers and the public. The information can also be used to plot changes over time to monitor successes or failures of efforts. Several resources and Web sites are listed for additional information. (JDM)