I don't think it's completely unfair to use the word junkie...I think there are a lot of negative connotations with the word which are often unfounded, but which sometimes aren't. I think you have to be a heroin addict to be a junkie, but you don't have to be a junkie to be a heroin addict.
I use the word junkie to refer to people who live heroin. Not just to any old heroin addict, but to someone who lives that life.
Junkies congregate in "burgs" because the life they lead is on the fringe of society, as well as the fact that most of them are from low socioeconomic backgrounds. There is nowhere else for junkies to go. They are forced to live a life that puts them in this situation because of the fact that black market drugs are expensive. That, and the fact that society hates them, force them into places like the place being discussed in this thread.
Heroin addiction is a terribly sad thing and can destroy people's lives. My heart goes out to people who have to live heroin because of an addiction, even if they are one of the minority who conform to the junkie stereotype, and even if they'd tell me to go fuck myself (which most of them probably would).
Mr King ... Get over yourself. Arresting heroin addicts doesn't do shit except make life worse for people who already have it bad and give you an excuse to fill yourself with self-rightous indignation and go spouting shit all over the place. I recommend you go before posting anymore of your shit here, because I doubt you'll find a whole lot of sympathy for your "junkies are bad people who need to be arrested" argument on this board or anywhere else on bluelight.
[Edit: No flaming, please. BT]