Five causal explanations for heroin injection among addicted felons are summarized from extant literature: stratiücation hypothesis, market forces hypothesis, social network hypothesis, risk-taking syndrome hypothesis, and career intensiücation hypothesis. These theories were tested on a sample of 366 heroin-addicted felons from Brooklyn. Variables derived from these hypotheses correctly predicted 76 percent of the cases. The hypotheses with the strongest empirical support were the social network and risk-taking syndrome. According to the social network hypothesis, age, gender, and ethnic groups developed their own heroin subcultures that inýuence injecting behavior. In the risk-taking hypothesis, users who engaged in other non-drug reckless behaviors were at a higher risk of injecting heroin. The availability (street price) of heroin surfaced as the strongest correlate of heroin injection as more users self-identiüed as injectors during periods of lower availability. Age and longevity of heroin use were found to negatively correlate with injection. Policy implications derived from these ündings are discussed.