Heroin

2 Pages 530 Words

Drug abuse is one of the most discouraged behaviors in our country. The use of illegal drugs is harmful to both the user and those who are in contact with the user, such as friends and family. There are over 40 million illegal drug users in the world today and America is the biggest market for drugs (DASIS Report, 2001). Crime rates will continue to sky rocket if the use of illegal drugs does not come to an end. One of the most commonly used and highly addictive illegal drugs on the black market today is heroin. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2000). Heroin is the narcotic derivative of the opium poppy plant that poses grave threat to our society. It could be injected, sniffed/snorted, or smoked. It’s estimated that heroin addiction has increased 20 percent and worldwide production has sharply grown (DASIS Report 2001).
Heroin was originally produced in 1874, and was thought to be non-addictive and useful as a cure for respiratory illness and morphine addiction, and capable of relieving morphine withdrawal symptoms (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2000). Later, it was discovered that heroin is just as addictive and had the same pharmacologic effects as morphine. Heroin belongs to a class of drugs known as opiates, along with opium and morphine. It can come in a white or brownish powder or a dark brown substance known as tar. Some common street names for heroin include “smack,” “H,” “skag,” “China White” and “junk” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2000). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2000), heroin produces both physical and psychological dependence. It activates the regions in the brain that produces euphoric sensations and physical dependence. Heroin is a central nervous system depressant that relieves pain and induces sleep. Since it’s addictive, users tend to have a persistent craving for the dr...