Heroin: What is it?

Street names/other names: Big H, Blacktar, Brown sugar, Dope, Horse, Junk, Muc, Skag, Smac, Caballo (Spanish), TNT, 8-ball (heroin mixed with cracked cocaine)

HISTORY

In 1898, Heinrick Dresser, a worker of the Bayer Laboratory, developed diacetylmorphine in search of a non-addictive substitute for morphine. This drug was manufactured by the Bayer German Pharmaceutical Company. It was marketed under the trademark name Heroin which was then used to treat tuberculosis and morphine addiction.

The Cycle:

Opium addiction was a major problem in the U.S. during the 1850s. A less potent and supposedly non-addictive substitute (morphine) was provided to solve this problem but morphine addiction eventually became a bigger predicament. In order to resolve this, another non-addictive substitute (heroin) was introduced. However, it was proven that it was more addictive than morphine which was why another supposedly non-addictive substitute (methadone) was given to treat heroin addicts. Unfortunately, this drug was proven to be more addictive than heroin.

WHAT IS IT?

                

Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine, an opiate extracted from poppy. It is a downer/depressant which affects the brain’s pleasure system, interfering with its ability to perceive pain. It belongs to the narcotics – a group of pain-relieving drugs. Certain narcotics are legal if prescribed by doctors. Heroin, however, is illegal because of its adverse effects on the user and it is very addictive.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Heroin is made from the resin of poppy plants. First, milky sap-like opium is removed from the pod of the flower and is then refined to make morphine. This is further refined into different forms of heroin.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Usually, heroin looks like a white to dark brown powder or a black sticky substance (black tar heroin) but in its purest form, it appears to be a fine, white powder. The color comes from the additives such as sugar and caffeine that are used to dilute it. These additives do not fully dissolve which causes the clogging of blood vessels when injected.

STREET HEROIN

Street heroin varies in color due to the substances mixed with it. Usually, a bag contains 100 mg of powder which ranges from about 1-98% heroin. Additives such as sugar, starch and powdered milk are mixed with heroin to cut/dilute it so that the dealer will earn more money selling it.

Another form is the black tar heroin which is either sticky or formed in large clumps like coal and contains about 20-80% heroin. It also contains impurities and additives.

The heroin sold at the streets is stronger and more dangerous making the users at higher risk of overdose.

HOW IS IT USED?

 

There are three routes of heroin administration which rapidly delivers the drug to the brain – injection, inhalation and smoking.

The most effective form of consumption is injection. Heroin is dissolved by mixing it with water (or any additive) and heated. When it boils, it is drawn into a hypodermic needle. “Skin popping” is the process wherein the solution is injected just below the skin and “Mainlining” is the process of injection into the vein.