Drugs Information: Heroin

Substance: Heroin

Category: Opiate (Painkiller)

Legal Status
A controlled substance, it is an offence unless prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist to import, distribute, produce or supply it.

Short-term effects
Heroin is relatively potent, easily dissolved in water for injecting, and penetrates the blood-brain barrier much more quickly than its ëparentí drug morphine. It can also be smoked giving it a practically immediate effect. For all these reasons heroin is the opiate preferred by many drug users. Effects last 3-6 hours. After injection there can be an intensely pleasurable rush. Withdrawal begins after 8 hours.

Long-term effects
Heroin invariably leads to physical and psychological dependency. Dependence can occur after a few days. Withdrawal, once addicted, is difficult, and the symptoms include drowsiness, sweats, bone and muscle pain, diarrhoea, cramps, anxious breathing, vomiting and possibly even coma. Overdosing can be fatal, as can combining it with large amounts of alcohol. Sharing needles carries a greater risk of infection with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.

How long it stays in your system

Can last in your system approximately 4 days.

Scientific / Trade or Slang Name
A strong painkiller, Smack, Skag, H, Brown, Gear, Tack, Yack, Junk.

Method of use
Smoked, Sniffed or injected.

NOTE:
The effect upon the individual of any drug may vary, depending on factors such as the expectations of the user, mood, amount used, the setting, tolerance, and whether it is mixed with other drugs, which can be fatal. Some of the drugs above are synthetic drugs which are produced in unregulated laboratories. As such they are rarely pure and are often altered with a range of toxic and other dangerous agents.