One of the best stories I ever read. My older sister had a copy lying around the house for as long as I can remember. When I was maybe 12 or 13 I finally found time to pick it up and read.
A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ but a Sandwich is a 1973 young adult novel by Alice Childress.

Description:  Benjie can stop using heroin anytime he wants to. He just doesn’t want to yet. Why would he want to give up something that makes him feel so good, so relaxed, so tuned-out? As Benjie sees it, there’s nothing much to tune in for. School is a waste of time, and home life isn’t much better. All Benjie wants is for someone to believe in him, for someone to believe that he’s more than a thirteen-year-old junkie. Told from the perspectives of the people in his life-including his mother, stepfather, teachers, drug dealer, and best friend – – this powerful story will draw you into Benjie’s troubled world and force you to confront the uncertainty of his future.