Research Paper On Heroin

Heroin, a powerful narcotic, acts upon the brain as a painkiller, increasing physical addiction and ongoing emotional dependence (Schaffer Library of…). Heroin has many challenging and highly risky effects on the user, all the more hazardous if overdosing is present. This extremely dangerous drug, heroin, will never cease being used, but may cease the existence of an individual.

This paper is intended to educate those who almost nothing about heroin and those who use it. Many people have been associated with friends or families who have used some kind of drug. There are many people who have not had any contact with heroin users or if they have, don’t understand much about it. Using various sources about heroin to explain where it came from, how it is used, who uses it and how a person starts on the path towards heroin, preventing addiction, and global issues surrounding this drug. Although the topic of heroin is inexhaustible, it is my hope to spark reader’s curiosity. Knowledge of this drug might just help the reader join in on discussions about heroin.

Heroin, a white powder, was created in 1874, and was sold as a safe substitute for morphine. However, it was discovered that heroin produced a quick dependency in people. Heroin and other opiates were made illegal in 1920 as part of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Still today, however, Heroin is illegally manufactured and imported, largely from the Indian sub-continent.

Since the 19th century, the illicit drug, heroin, has been a part of American society. When heroin was first discovered it was thought to be a wonder drug because of the euphoric feeling a person is said to feel after using it. However, once the debilitating effects of this highly addictive drug was realized the anti-drug law, the Harrison Narcotics Act, was enacted that restricted its use to medicinal purposes only. In 1920, heroin was banned altogether through the Dangerous Drug Act (Habal, 2011). Heroin for the most part was thought to have gone underground until the Vietnam War.

Heroin is a white or brown powder. Sometimes it’s a black paste that's known as black tar heroin. Heroin is wicked by many other drugs, sugar, flour and milk. It may have a vinegar smell to it. People who do heroin usually snort or smoke it. There is also an option to inject the drug into your body. It costs $70 to $300 a gram. “In the brain, heroin is converted into morphine, which binds to opioid receptors. This causes a pleasurable "rush," and a user's skin becomes warm and flushed. The user's arms and legs may feel heavy. Some users experience severe itching and vomiting. After the rush, a user's heart rate and breathing slow down, sometimes to the point of death. Heroin is considered highly addictive. Euphoria occurs within seconds of an intravenous injection, five

Both locally and nationally, the opioid and heroin epidemic is greatly affecting communities everywhere. People should care about this epidemic because it is changing the way you live more than you think. As drug use increases, the average income decreases, as that person can no longer hold a job. Opioid addicts cause psychological problems, which doesn’t only affect the person with the illness, but communities as a whole, as often times they no longer keep up with personal hygiene, or function as well as a healthy individual. Drug abuse also affects the child of the user. Children of drug abusers are more likely to become users in their futures, becoming a never ending

The heroin epidemic is striking the United States rapidly and despite many efforts made, it cannot be contained. Heroin is an opiate drug that is synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring substance (“DrugFacts: Heroin”). It can be injected, inhaled by snorting/sniffing, or smoked (“DrugFacts: Heroin”). It is a deadly drug that is killing people daily everywhere, striking people of all ages including teenagers and adults. Although heroin is illegal, people still obtain the drug. The addiction strikes with one use. Heroin use is a serious issue and needs to be stopped with efforts from people within the community and more efficient funding.

People should know what they are getting themselves in if they are going to choose to go through this bumpy road in life. There are so many consequences that can come from heroin so make sure you are ready to face them. You are harming yourself and the people around you so make sure you inform yourself on what can come from heroin.

Heroin is named after the German word for hero, heroisch. It was first made by C. R. Alder Wright in 1874 by adding two acetyl groups to the molecule morphine, a natural product of the opium poppy. Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates, about two to four times more potent than morphine and is faster in its onset of action. It is processed from morphine which is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky

Heroin is no longer being used in the medical field whereas; codeine, liquid morphine, pethidine, and methadone are still being found. In the 1970’s that is when scientists came across the real reasons why people were abusing the drug. Opiates are similar to endorphins, which are produced in the brain that help to relieve pain or fear. The chemicals form small chain peptides binding to form receptors in the brain. Heroin affects the brain by the “Opioid receptors are also located in the brainstem, which controls automatic processes critical for life, such as blood pressure, arousal, and respiration” (DrugFacts 2). Heroin is an organic and plant derived compound that is mixed with morphine, acetic acid, and acetic anhydride. The farmers drain the sap and boil it into sticky gum. After the gum is boiled, they use a water base with lime, ammonium chloride, activated charcoal, and hydrochloric acid. Once the product becomes dry it is in the shape of bricks. “The bricks are then sent to other secret laboratories that mix the morphine with acetic anhydride, more activated charcoal, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)” (Bigelow 5). The particles sit in water and after drying is treated with hydrochloric acid which produces a white powder. The product is never just pure heroin, but contains water-soluble substances, sugar, painkillers, baking soda, powdered milk, and talcum powder. Since the heroin is broken down it decreases the purity and the dealer has more of a supply. A “Tar heroin” is produced in Mexico, Central America, and South America, which is a black sticky substance with an odor of

Throughout history the popularity of heroin has waxed and waned. Sometimes heroin was practically a non-issue, other times, heroin has been one of the biggest struggles a society has faced. America today struggles with heroin like no other time in its history, in part because of the effects of addiction at home, and in part because of the significant profits it allows its handlers both at home and overseas.

: Heroin is an drug that is from an asian plant called the “poppy plant.” Heroin usually appears as a brown, black, or white powdery substance known as “black tar heroin.” in Mexico. Heroin abuse is associated with a number of serious health conditions, including fatal overdose and infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Street heroin often contains additives that can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs.

Did you know that heroin is the second leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States? Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. The drug can range from a powder varying in color from brown or white, or it may be a black sticky substance almost like tar (NIDA). Heroin goes by many other names as well, such as dope, boy, junk, or ron on the streets. Heroin is one of the most deadly drugs one could ever simply touch, and 9 out of 10 times it either leads you to the grave or a penitentiary.

(2016, October 12)). Some people can become addicted after their first time using the drug. Once the person uses they may experience a rush, some may feel tired, can feel foggy (this is from the drug slowing the Central Nervous System down (C. (2016, October 12)), may vomit, their breathing can also become dangerously slow (Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2005). When the drug starts to wear off the person will want to take more of it some withdrawal symptoms are described as “painful flu-like symptoms” (C. (2016, October 12)). Using the drug for a long time can also cause the user to have health issues as well such as collapsed veins, infection, and abscesses ((C. (2016, October 12)). With some of the additives that are put in the drug it can cause clotting in the blood but some may also cause an overdose (C. (2016, October 12)). While heroin is an extremely addictive drug there is also different strains of heroin black tar this type of heroin is cheaper than regular heroin but is stronger and more addictive (C. (2016, October 12)), cheese heroin is a mix of black tar heroin and Tylenol PM, this too is very addictive and can cause the users breathing to stop (Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2005), China White is another strain of heroin that is mixed with Fentanyl (White Heroin. (16, February 8)). Depending on how heroin is used depends on how quickly the user can feel its effects it can range from 7-8 seconds to 10-15 minutes depending on the way it is administered ((C. (2016, October

Heroin, originally developed by the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company as a cough suppressant in 1895, is an illegal drug that belongs to a class of drugs known as opiates. Opiates, originally derived from the seedpods of the opium poppy, have been used for thousands of years for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Morphine was the