Heroin

1. Heroin Khloe Guerra and Madison Wright

2. Drug classification • Heroin is classified as a class A drug and it is illegal to possess or supply in the United States.

3. Street/slang names • Smack
H
Tar
Chiba or Chiva
Junk
Brown Sugar
Junk
Skag
Mud
Dragon
Dope
White, China White, White Nurse, White Lady, White Horse, White Girl, White Boy, White Stuff
Boy, He
Black, Black Tar, Black Pearl, Black Stuff, Black Eagle
Brown, Brown Crystal, Brown Tape, Brown Rhine
Mexican Brown, Mexican Mud, Mexican Horse
Snow, Snowball
Scat, Sack, Skunk
Number 3, Number 4, Number 8

4. What does it look like? • In its purest form, heroin is a fine white powder. But more often, it is found to be rose gray, brown or black in color. The coloring comes from additives which have been used to dilute it, which can include sugar, caffeine or other substances.

5. Methods of administration • Injected • Sniffed • Snorted • Smoked

6. Short term effects while under the influence • “Rush” • Slowed breathing • Clouded mental functioning • Nausea and vomiting • Sedation; drowsiness • Hypothermia (body temperature lower than normal) • Coma or death (due to overdose)

7. Long-term effects for repeated/chronic abusers • Bad teeth • Inflammation of the gums • Constipation • Cold sweats • Itching • Weakening of the immune system • Coma • Respiratory (breathing) illnesses • Muscular weakness, partial paralysis • Reduced sexual capacity and long-term impotence in men • Menstrual disturbance in women • Inability to achieve orgasm (women and men) • Loss of memory and intellectual performance • Introversion • Depression • Pustules on the face • Loss of appetite • Insomnia

8. Is it addictive? • Physical Addiction: Heroin is one of the most physically addictive drugs in existence. In fact, many people become hooked on heroin after only a single use. Almost a quarter of all heroin users are physically dependent on the drug, and it is considered much more addictive than other drugs in its class • Psychological Addiction: Addiction to heroin sets in motion very damaging and complex psychological consequences for the addict, in addition to its harmful physiological consequences. Like many other drug addictions, heroin addiction halts the emotional development of users at whatever developmental stage their addiction began, and diminishes existing emotional coping skills. Since emotional discomfort, as well as physical pain, is relieved by heroin use, the drug can initially make experiences that might otherwise be unpleasant more enjoyable.

9. Rehab Issues • Heroin Withdrawal: -Cravings (the desire to take more heroin) - Mood changes (feelings of depression, anxiety, and irritability) -Aches and pains -Nausea, vomiting, fever -Restlessness • Local Services: -Burning Tree Rehab Center -La Hacienda Treatment center -Drug Rehab San Antonio • Famous People Who Died of Heroin Addictions: -Janis Joplin -Jim Morrison -Kurt Cobain

10. Laws • Heroin is classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, attracting a maximum term of life imprisonment for importing, manufacturing and/or supplying. Possession carries a six month imprisonment term and/or $1000 fine.

11. Bibliography/RESOURCES • http://casapalmera.com/nicknames-street-names-and-slang-for-heroin/ • http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin/what-does-heroin-look-like.html • http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/heroin/f/herion_faq03.htm • http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin/the-destructive-effects-of-heroin.html • http://www.heroinaddiction2.com/heroins-psychological-addiction.htm • http://www.michaelshouse.com/heroin-addiction/famous-people-died-heroin-overdose/ • http://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/heroin-opiates/law-and-penalities