Heroin acts as a depressant in a class of drugs called opiates that is processed from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown powder. Heroin, in this form, has been available for over 100 years. It is illegal to manufacture,possess, or sell heroin in the United States.

Street Names: smack, horse, boy, junk, dope, black tar, dragon

Physical Symptoms:
Intense euphoria (which often disappears with tolerance)
Relaxation
Cloudy mental functioning

Heroin can be inhaled (snorted), smoked, or injected intravenously. Some users mix heroin with cocaine which is called a speedball, which when injected, causes a more intense rush than heroin alone but is much more dangerous because of the short-acting stimulant with the longer-acting depressant increases the risk of overdosing on one or both drugs. Once in the brain, heroin is rapidly metabolized into morphine, where the morphine molecule then binds with opioid receptors and produces the high.

Snorting heroin usually results in onset within 10-15 minutes. Smoking heroin results in an almost immediate, though mild effect which strengthens the longer it is used. Intravenous injection results in rush and euphoria within 7 to 8 seconds.

Risks of Use:

Use of non-sterile needles leads to the risk of contracting blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis

Poisoning from contaminants added to “cut”or dilute the heroin

Chronic constipation

Addiction and tolerance

Decreased kidney function

Collapsed veins

Liver disease

Large doses can be fatal

Once a person has become dependent on heroin, withdrawal symptoms usually take place from 6 to 8 hours after the last dose has been taken. Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, intense body aches, diarrhea and sweating.