Heroin

• What is heroin?
• Street Names
• How is it used?
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• Is it addictive?

What is heroin?

• Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste.
  
• There are two forms of heroin:
  • Powder varying in color from white to dark brown. The dark color results from impurities in the manufacturing process or from the addition of additives such as sugars, starch, powdered milk or quinine. The powder is usually sold in purities of 1 percent to 98 percent, with a national average of 35 percent.
    
  • "Black tar" heroin is sticky like roofing tar, or hard like coal. The color and consistency result from the crude processing methods used to manufacture heroin illicitly in Mexico. It is usually sold in purities ranging from 20 percent to 80 percent. It is most frequently dissolved in water, diluted and injected into the body by needle.

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Street Names

"smack," "junk," "brown sugar," "dope," "horse", "skunk"
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How is it used?

• Injected by needle (traditional method of use).
  
• Snorted through the nose (high-purity heroin).
  
• Smoked (high-purity heroin).

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What are the effects?

The short term effects include the following:

• A surge of elation ("rush") accompanied by a warm feeling throughout the body.
  
• Dry mouth.
  
• A sensation of heavy arms and legs.
  
• Alternating states of awareness and drowsiness ("on the nod").
  
• Slurred speech.
  
• Narrow pupils.
  
• Droopy eyelids.
  
• Vomiting.
  
• Constipation.

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What are the dangers?

• Collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining, valve abscesses, cellulitis and liver disease.
  
• Various types of pneumonia result from the user's depleted respiratory system.
  
• Infection of the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain due to undissolved additives in the drug.
  
• Physical dependence on the drug results in withdrawal symptoms if use of the drug is terminated, including:
  • Craving.
    
  • Insomnia.
    
  • Muscle and joint pain.
    
  • Diarrhea.
    
  • Cold flashes and goose bumps.
    
  • Death in users who are in poor health.

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Is it addictive?

Yes, heroin is addictive.
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