Heroin

What is Heroin?

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates.

How is heroin processed?

Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varities of poppy plants.

How is heroin typically sold?

Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin".

How is heroin typically used?

Heroin is usually injected, sniffed/snorted, or smoked. Typically, a heroin abuser may inject up to four times a day.

How does heroin affect a pregnant women?

Good question! Heroin abuse during pregnancy and its many associated environmental factors have been assoicated with adverse consequences including how birth weight, an important risk factor for later developmental delay.

Why are heroin users at special risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C?

Heroin users are at risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis C(HCV), and other infectious diseases, through sharing and reuse if syringes and injection paraphernalia that have been used by infected individuals, or through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.