Global stability for a heroin model with age-dependent susceptibility

This paper considers global asymptotic properties for an age-structured model of heroin use based on the principles of mathematical epidemiology where the incidence rate depends on the age of susceptible individuals. The basic reproduction number of the heroin spread is obtained. It completely determines the stability of equilibria. By using the direct Lyapunov method with Volterra type Lyapunov function, the authors show that the drug-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is less than one, and the unique drug spread equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is greater than one.