Description
Heroin is a chemical derived from opium. Opium is converted
to morphine in a
relatively simple chemical
process that usually takes place in a makeshift laboratory near the poppy
fields. It takes about 10 kg of opium to produce 1 kg of morphine and
3 kg of morphine to produce 1 kg of heroin. Heroin
is a name commonly used to describe a preparation containing diacetyl
morphine base or its salts.
Heroin is similar to face powder in appearance and is perhaps slightly coarser.
It comes as a white powder when pure but street heroin is usually cream to light
brown in colour and is generally odourless but may have a faint vinegary smell.
Administration
Heroin may be smoked, inhaled or injected.
Associated Equipment
This may consist of pipes, porcelain bowls, skewers, small peanut oil lamps, rags, charred silver foil, matchbox covers, hypodermic needles, eye droppers, etc. Possession of opium utensils is in itself an offence in many countries.
Degree of Addiction
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Psychological addiction: | strong |
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Environmental addiction: | strong |
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Physical addiction: | strong |
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Body tolerance: | high |
Influence and Symptoms
Like sedatives heroin depresses the nervous system activity including reflex
functions such as coughing, respiration and heart rate. It also dilates blood
vessels, giving a feeling of warmth and depresses bowel activity, resulting in
constipation. Those who start by smoking or snorting heroin sometimes switch
to injecting it to maximise the high.
There may be needle marks on addicts' veins.
Immediately after taking the drug the user's eyes will become constricted. Subsequently
the pupils will dilate and the drug will induce a drowsy torpid state in the
addict, with dilated pupils, constipation and a slow response to stimuli. Heroin
is very addictive and can dominate a user's life, resulting in them taking
the drug just to feel normal. In the longer term loss of appetite and general
apathy may result in the addict becoming emaciated and in poor health
with poor hygiene. Symptoms are similar to influenza or malaria but
longer
lasting effects will appear if the drug is withdrawn. Excessive use
can result in overdose, coma and possibly death.
Injecting
adds the risk of dangerous infections being spread such as HIV and hepatitis
B or C if equipment is shared.
Popular Myths |
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Fiction: |
The high purity of black market opiates is guaranteed | |
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Fact: |
Purity at street level varies greatly. Sugar, caffeine, milk powder, benzocaine, diazepam and phenobarbitone are known adulterants to so- called 'pure smack' (diamorphine) | |
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Fiction: |
It is easy to be cured | |
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Fact: |
Research shows that of treated addicts,
10% have stayed off for more than six months but only 2% or 4%
for more than two years |
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Fiction: |
The substance is not really dangerous | |
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Fact: |
The average life expectancy of a heroin or morphine addict is about 6-8 years. Some can survive much longer. Many die within 4-5 years. HIV can be transmitted by using infected needles or syringes | |