HISTORY:
Originally produced in 1874, it was thought to be not only
non-addictive but useful as a cure for respiratory illness and morphine
addiction, and capable of relieving morphine withdrawal symptoms. Later it
was discovered to have the same pharmacologic effects as morphine and to be
just as addictive. In many parts of the world, it is used as an analgesic
(for relief of pain), particularly for the terminally ill. Although in the
United States the manufacture and importation of the drug are prohibited and
it is not used medically, heroin predominates in illicit narcotics traffic
because it provides more potency for less bulk than morphine and is thus
easier to smuggle.
INFORMATION:
Heroin is usually injected intravenously, but may also be injected
intramuscularly or under the skin, smoked, or sniffed; effects last three to
six hours. In some cases addicts gather in places called “shooting
galleries,” often located in vacant buildings, which supply the necessary
paraphernalia (e.g., hypodermic needle and spoon to heat and liquefy the
heroin). Sharing of heroin needles significantly increases the risk of
acquiring AIDS (from contaminated blood left in the syringe). Different
distributors of heroin often assign “brand names” to their products to
enhance rumors of their strength (“Death Wish,” “DOA” ) or effects (
“Evening's Delight,” “Magic” ). Because the drug's strength and purity are
unmonitored, each administration brings with it the possibility of overdose,
illness from contaminants, or death. Multiple drug use involving heroin is
increasingly common and results in many emergency-room visits. For example
“speed balling,” the use of heroin with
cocaine intravenously, moderates the
expected post-cocaine “crash.” Instances of overdose are also increasing
among the growing group of middle-class users that emerged in the 1990s as a
potent powdered heroin became available.
STREET NAMES:
Antifreeze, big daddy, big H, big Harry, boy, brown, brown heroin,
brown stuff, brown sugar, cabballo, carga, China man, crap, doje, downtown,
garbage, globo, "H", hard stuff, Harry, horse, junk, lemon dope, scag, and
smack. Mexican Tar heroin is variously known as tar, ball, black
heroin, black tar, chocolate, gum, gumball, Mexican mud, mud, tar and
tootsie roll. |
