How many people a year go to jail because of opium?

Heroin and any narcotic pain medication is opium based.

Yes, that is true, however I believe he/she wants to know how prevalent opium itself is in America. The answer to that is pretty unclear, but I would say that, generally, opium is NOT very prevalent in America. In some (few) regions of the US, you may find many opium users, but in most places the majority of people have never used, nor know anything about it. Opiate drugs, such as heroin (diacetylmorphine) and opiate based painkillers, are VERY prevalent in the US though. You may still see a little bit of opium place to place, but it is very scarce. Most US opium is not even imported, but instead, home grown. Almost every drug dealer, in big cities, would look at you stupid if you asked for opium. (May think you are a narcotics agent too! Be careful! LOL!)

At one point in time, during the early 1900s, opium was quite prevalent among Chinese and other Oriental Americans. (Primarily in China Towns in big cities) Opium dens used to be a legitimate business, but laws were made against opium to intentionally target Chinese (and other Oriental) Americans. There even was a law that made it illegal to carry two water buckets on a bamboo pole! Or to wear a braided ponytail! The final straw for opium's legality was when it was suggested to the US government that opium was used by the Chinese to seduce and rape white women. This, of course, was NOT true, but the paranoia of the US government prevailed, once again! Since then, opium has been a rarity and oddity. Some groups of (mainly foreign) people still use opium (secretly) in the US, but it is an underground activity. Very few American born citizens use the drug. Its highly unlikely to find a dealer who sells it. Recently, there have been whispers that opium is making a pop-cultural comeback, but many are skeptical about the idea. I hope this answers your question a little better. My advice to anyone considering using opium (or any opiate based drug) is to NOT do it, and stay AWAY from it. Its highly addictive, and ANYONE can fall into the habit. I have seen several close friends fall apart from withdrawals from opiate based drugs. The withdrawals are SO horrible and painful that some consider suicide! STAY AWAY from opiates! (unless you are prescribed to such a drug for medical reasons) Opiate based drugs can be an absolute miracle to those living with severe or chronic pain, but those who abuse and misuse her WILL be punished. Respect her, or she WILL take her vengeance upon you!