Description
Heroin is an illegal, extremely addictive drug extracted from poppy plants and mainly used by teens.It is mainly used to fit in with friends. Heroin comes from poppy seeds as well. Heroin was first manufactured in 1898 by a German industry as a pain killer. Heroin usually appears as a white powder visually similar to “ crack/cocaine”. Heroin is sent into your body in 3 main types of ways, such as; injecting it, inhaling/snorting it and also smoking it. To inject heroin it must be melted into a liquid from a powder and poured into a syringe. Another type of heroin also known as “ black tar” originated in Mexico is a sticky-like substance. Addiction to heroin can lead to organ failure, caused by blood clogging up in your body in different parts of it such as; your brain, kidney, and lungs. Most Heroin addicts end up in streets and decreasing their life span by years. If that’s not your ideal future, than taking any type of drug should not be on your to-do list. In other words, if you do not want to die than do not take drugs.
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html
Other Names / Street Names?
Some of the more common names of heroin are:
(Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html).
Heroin can also be paired up with other drugs. For example, heroin is commonly paired up with marijuana, LSD, methamphetamine and tobacco. Some of those common street names are:
- Big H
- Junk
- H
- Smack
- Brown Sugar
- Hell’s Dust
- Thunder
- Skag
- Horse, etc.
(Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html).
Heroin can also be paired up with other drugs. For example, heroin is commonly paired up with marijuana, LSD, methamphetamine and tobacco. Some of those common street names are:
- Speedball (Heroin and Cocaine)
- Woola blunt ( Heroin and Marijuana)
- Beast (Heroin and LSD)
- Flamethrowers (Heroin, Cocaine and Tobacco
Current Canadian Statistics
Some of the more recent facts related to this drug is:
As you can see, a shocking fact that impacted the group was that how 42% of people in the streets in Montreal that had been asked this question had used heroin. With this fact, we begin to understand how addictive this drug is. If we assume 100000 crimes in the world to the fact that less than 1% of drug charges were related to heroin, an estimated 10000 crimes will be due to heroin.
- Heroin is the third most commonly used drug in Canada
- Less than 1% of drug charges were related to heroin
- A survey made in Toronto, Ontario revealed that 11 % of the youth said they were struggling with heroin addiction. When it comes to drug abuse treatment in Toronto, about 2 % of the people admitted into drug rehab centers reported heroin addiction
- More boys use heroin over girls
- In 2003, a survey was done with the youth on the streets of the city of Montreal, and almost 42 % of them had used heroin during their lives more than once
As you can see, a shocking fact that impacted the group was that how 42% of people in the streets in Montreal that had been asked this question had used heroin. With this fact, we begin to understand how addictive this drug is. If we assume 100000 crimes in the world to the fact that less than 1% of drug charges were related to heroin, an estimated 10000 crimes will be due to heroin.
Long Term Consequences
Long term heroin use can have many negative consequences such as:
Heroin.net,. (2015). Heroin Effects | Effects Of Heroin On The Body & Side Effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Intellectual performance
- Weakened immune system
- Partial paralysis
- Muscle loss
- Coma
- Paranoia
- Very low pain tolerance
- Liver disease
- AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Death, etc.
Heroin.net,. (2015). Heroin Effects | Effects Of Heroin On The Body & Side Effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/
Short Term Consequences
With heroin, the short-term effects include a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, disorientation , which is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. After the initial effects, users will be drowsy for many hours. The user’s mental function is clouded, heart function slows, and breathing is slowed down, and sometimes it is life-threatening. Slowed breathing can also lead to coma and permanent brain damage. Hypothermia can also occur. This can also lead to coma, paralysis or death.
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms - Short-Term Side Effects of Heroin - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin/the-destructive-effects-of-heroin.html
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). What is Heroin? How is Heroin Made? What is Heroin Made of? - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html
Drugfreeworld.org,. (2015). Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms - Short-Term Side Effects of Heroin - Drug-Free World. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin/the-destructive-effects-of-heroin.html
Physiological Effects Of Heroin
Heroin is a central nervous system drug that slows down the heart and breathing rates massively. When heroin enters the brain, it is converted back into morphine and bonds with the molecules on cells that are also known as opioid receptors. These receptors are located all over the brain causing coma and killing brain cells which can cause permanent brain damage.
Drugabuse.gov,. (2015). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts#heroin
Ecstasy.com.ua,. (2015). Controlled Substances » Heroin: Physiological effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://ecstasy.com.ua/heroin/heroin-physiological-effects
Drugabuse.gov,. (2015). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts#heroin
Ecstasy.com.ua,. (2015). Controlled Substances » Heroin: Physiological effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://ecstasy.com.ua/heroin/heroin-physiological-effects
In the Court of Law...
Heroin trafficking is one of the most serious drug related crimes. The prison sentence for dealing heroin can vary from 3-25 years or $50,000-$500,000 fines prison sentence depending on the severity of the crime.
LaMance, K. (2015). Drug Trafficking Penalties | LegalMatch Law Library. Legalmatch.com. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/drug-trafficking-penalties.html
Drugabuse.net,. (2015). Penalties for Drug Abuse – Penalties for Selling Drugs – Smuggling Drugs in the United States. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.net/drug-policy/penalties-for-drug-abuse/
If a person is caught with the possession of illegal narcotics they can face penalties such as 30-40 month prison sentences, loss of benefits (Health and employee benefits) and rights.
Drugabuse.net,. (2015). Penalties for Drug Abuse – Penalties for Selling Drugs – Smuggling Drugs in the United States. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.net/drug-policy/penalties-for-drug-abuse/
LaMance, K. (2015). Drug Trafficking Penalties | LegalMatch Law Library. Legalmatch.com. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/drug-trafficking-penalties.html
Drugabuse.net,. (2015). Penalties for Drug Abuse – Penalties for Selling Drugs – Smuggling Drugs in the United States. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.net/drug-policy/penalties-for-drug-abuse/
If a person is caught with the possession of illegal narcotics they can face penalties such as 30-40 month prison sentences, loss of benefits (Health and employee benefits) and rights.
Drugabuse.net,. (2015). Penalties for Drug Abuse – Penalties for Selling Drugs – Smuggling Drugs in the United States. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.net/drug-policy/penalties-for-drug-abuse/
Signs of Addiction and Resources for Help
Everyone taking drugs has side effects and some type of symptom or a sign of addiction they show. In this case, Heroin addicts usually tend to leave their utensils they use to use Heroin left behind. Some of those materials could be syringes, bits of powder left behind in small types of bags, burnt spoons from melting the powder and etc. You can recognize an addict by reading the body language and to describe one visually, one may have runny noses, flushed skin, slow breathing, tiny pupils, dark bags under eyes and many more. An addict would normally decline to eat, and that will mean he/she’s body will weaken which is another symptom. The addict will vomit continuously, have slurred speech similar to a drunk person and harming themselves by scratching their body and cutting their hair off. These addicts, regret their mistakes by taking drugs, and don’t go for help when needed. Some resources that might help save their lives could be talking to someone you really trust and explaining your problem. Visit a nearby doctor or a psychologist. Some contacts you can use if you’re a teen are; (310) 855-HOPE or (800) TLC-TEEN, 1-800-668-6868.
Heroin.net,. (2015). Heroin Effects | Effects Of Heroin On The Body & Side Effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/
Heroin.net,. (2015). Heroin Effects | Effects Of Heroin On The Body & Side Effects. Retrieved 1 November 2015, from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/