Volunteering and participating in service projects are two of the most rewarding activities in my opinion. Some people may find it a hassle or only do it because they have to meet minimum requirements for school or work. Helping others, for me, has always been a sort of second nature. Over many years of volunteering I believe I have developed qualities that will accompany me throughout my life and benefit me in my career. As early as my freshman year of high school, I found myself looking for ways to give back. I started by looking for opportunities within the school, where I came across the A+ Mentoring Program, and so began my journey of giving back. During mentorship, my patience with others really evolved, partly by choice and partly because it was necessary. I was always looking for community programs to be a part of that could help me evolve as a person and at the same time raise awareness about important issues. I think overall one of the biggest lessons I learned from being a part of these groups was to try to make yourself and your community a better environment for your peers. After high school I was still volunteering for a local group that taught and led inner-city schools, but only recently discovered a bigger problem that needed immediate service in our community. The Heroin Epidemic. Heroin is an opioid drug synthesized from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. (Heroin) This deadly drug has been around since 1850; it was a major cause of death then and will be again now. Heroin use is on the rise because it is cheap, easy and pure. In the last year alone, I have personally known three people who died because... middle of paper....... (Lehman)Bibliography"Curiosity + Heroin: Not Once - BTW." Trivia + Heroine: Not even once - BTW. Np, nd Web. March 12, 2014."Heroin Facts and Statistics." Suburban drug addict. Np, 2011. Web."Heroin." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Np, nd Web. 12 March 2014. "International Statistics on Heroin Addiction and Abuse, High School Students and Youth: Foundation for a Drug-Free World." International statistics on heroin addiction and abuse, high school students and youth: Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Np, nd Web. March 12, 2014.Lehman, Carol M., and Deborah Daniel DuFrene. BCOM. Mason, OH: South-Western, 2013. Print. “Trying Heroin Once, Addiction, Abuse, and Experimentation: Foundations for a Drug-Free World.” Trying Heroin Once, Addiction, Abuse, and Experimentation: Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Np, 2006. Web. 11 March. 2014.