'''Junkie''' is a slang term for an addict. Its most common use is for drug addicts, but it has also been used to refer to enthusiasts of various topics, i.e. "news TV junkie". Junkies, along with [[homosexual]]s, have been "central to the spread of [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]] since the pandemic began more than 25 years ago."<ref>[http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/drugabuse.html Science of drug abuse and addiction]</ref> They are also "major contributors to the U.S. crime problem".<ref>[http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html Executive office of the President]</ref> The term originated from 'junk', a slang term for [[heroin]], and became popular in 1953 when William S. Burroughs released a book about drug addicts called "Junkie".
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