Check out the weekly article below by one of our ministry partners Donna McKinley, founder of McKinley Reports.
by Donna Funderburke McKinley
Heroin
Big H, Blacktar, Brown sugar, Dope, Horse, Junk, Muc, Skag, Smac
· Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine, which is obtained from the opium poppy.
· Heroin has a white to dark brown powder or tar-like look and feel.
· Heroin can be used in a variety of ways:
- “Mainlining,” which is when it is injected into a vein injected into a muscle;
- “Chasing the dragon,” which is when heroin smoke is inhaled through a straw;
- Mixed with marijuana joint or regular cigarette; and
- Smoked in a water pipe or standard pipe.
Short-term effects:
- Surge of euphoria called “having a rush”
- Warm flushing of the skin
- Drymouth
- User becomes alternately wakeful and a sleepystate. This is called “on the nod.”
- Inability to think clearly
- Slowed and slurred speech
- Slow gait
- Constricted pupils
- Droopy eyelids
- Vomiting
Long-term effects:
- Collapsed veins
- Infection of the heart lining and valves
- Abscesses
- Cellulites
- Liver disease
- Clogged blood vessels from the undissolved particles in street heroin, which can damage lungs, liver, kidneys and brain
- With regular heroin use, tolerance develops. This means it will take more and more heroin to achieve the same intensity or effect.
Withdrawal symptoms:
- May occur as early as a few hours after the last use. Major withdrawal symptoms will peak within 48 to 72 hours.
- Severe drug craving
- Restlessness
- Muscle and bone pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- “Cold turkey,” which is cold flashes with goosebumps
- “Kicking the habit,” which is a kicking movement
Get more information on Heroin:
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/heroin
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/jefferson_county_sees_spike_in.html
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/09/tragedy_of_heroin_use_rises_in.html
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/metro.ssf?/base/news/1238141722185070.xml&coll=2