Heroin is widely known as
a highly addictive illegal
opiate. This drug is derived
from some morphine which is
extracted from the seeds of
poppy plants. Heroin is usually
whitish or brown in color
and has a very high street
value. Much like cocaine,
heroin is often cut with cheaper
inert compounds to maximize
profits for dealers. Sugar,
starch, quinine and even powdered
milk are all commonly used
for cutting pure heroin. This
uncertainty that always surrounds
the purity of heroin is the
cause for many fatalities
that result from heroin overdoses.
Many heroin users consume
the drug intravenously to
minimize waste, although this
means of delivery has some
inherent problems. The risk
of infection and the transmission
of hepatitis HIV/AIDS and
other diseases that are transmissible
by blood can easily occur
among heroin users. Usually
this is due to sharing of
needles and unsanitary equipment,
thus prompting many governments
around the world to instigate
needle exchange programs.
Today the drug remains quite
popular and appears to be
hitching a ride on the coat
tails of Club Drugs, which
accounts for a huge portion
of drug users. The 1998 National
Household Survey http://www.1drugrehabcentre.com
on Drug Abuse estimates that
2.4 million Americans have
used heroin at some point
in their lives with a sizeable
number claiming to have used
the drug at least once in
the past month. Although somewhat
less effective, the new generation
of heroin users is more prone
to smoking, snorting and sniffing
heroin rather than injecting.
I guess at least part of the
health warning message has
been getting through.
The median age of heroin users
today is much lower than in
previous decades according
to http://www.rehabcentreinfo.com
, which is further evidence
that heroin use may be closely
linked to popularity in Club
Drugs. Even though sniffing,
snorting and smoking heroin
does allow users to avoid
the dangers associated with
intravenous drug use, this
method of delivery still results
in a high level of addiction.
The intensity of the initial
"rush" or "hit" is less intense
and more gradual but the principle
of addiction assures that
these means of heroin use
still have a high propensity
for future problems.
About The Author
Steve Joseph is a regular
contributor to http://www.rehabinfocentre.com
and permission to reproduce
this article is given only
on the basis that all links
remain active and intact.
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