Drug Index

Heroin

Heroin can be seen as a fine crystalline powder varying in colour from white to light brown, due to variations in the production process. Sugar, starch, powdered milk and quinine are all examples of substances added to heroin that may account for some variations in the appearance of the drug. Heroin can be snorted, taken orally, smoked, or injected.

Medical Uses

Afghanistan produces approximately 3/4 of the heroin produced in the world. Additional producers include South America (especially Columbia), Mexico, South East Asia, and South West Asia. Heroin, a derivative of morphine, was introduced in the late 1800's as a remedy for morphine addiction, but it also proved to be highly addictive. It is a very effective painkiller, but due to its widespread abuse, it has very limited use in medicine in Canada. Heroin is the most powerful of all the opiates.

Short Term Effects

Dose varies widely according to availability, cost, purity and the user’s tolerance. If heroin is snorted or smoked effects are felt within 10 - 15 minutes. Intravenous injection provides the greatest intensity and the quickest onset of euphoria, occurring within approximately 7 - 8 seconds. Intramuscular injection provides a much slower onset of euphoria at 5 - 8 minutes. The initial rush may last for 20 minutes, while the high may last for 5 - 10 hours depending on purity of the product and tolerance of the user. Heroin addict may inject up to 4 times per day.

The initial and short term effects of heroin include a “rush” ; feelings of euphoria, pain suppression, mental clouding, relaxation, depressed respiratory rate and nausea and vomiting. Effects of the rush to a high are followed by depression, pinpointed pupils, watery eyes, droopy eye lids, slow deliberate movements, poor concentration, nausea, drowsiness (CNS & Muscular regions are depressed causing a tranquil effect similar to sleepiness referred to as “on the nod”), loss of appetite and weight, apathy, lessened physical activity, danger of overdose by decrease in respiratory rate, coma can lead to death. Heroin use raises the body’s pain threshold, altering the reaction pattern to pain and inducing sleep.

Long Term Effects

Heroin use is risky because purity and ingredients of the dose can only be guesses, the possibility of overdosing is extremely high. Additionally, the use of injection drugs leads to increased risk of hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other infections due to sharing of unsterile needles, syringes and other drug paraphernalia. Chronic users may develop lung problems as a result of the effects high doses of the drug have on respiration. Abscesses, cellulitis, liver damage, tetanus, brain damage and vein damage may occur.

Another long-term adverse effect of heroin abuse is heroin-induced toxic leucoencephalopathy. This is a disease of the white matter of the brain caused by a toxic or poisonous exposure. Smoking of heroin off of foil may be the cause of heroin-induced leucoencephalopathy. Symptoms of this disease include inattention, forgetfulness, personality changes, dementia, coma and death.

Tolerance and Dependance

Chronic use results in tolerance. Cocaine can produce very powerful psychological dependence leading to extremely compulsive patterns of use. In particular, the dependency-producing properties of cocaine are believed to be more powerful than any other psychoactive drug. Physical dependence may also develop. Withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue, long but disturbed sleep, strong hunger, irritability, depression, violence.

Legal Status

In Canada, Heroin is governed by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act applicable to Schedule I. Unlawful possession is a criminal offence punishable on indictment by imprisonment for up to seven years and on summary conviction for a first offence to a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. A subsequent offence is punishable upon summary conviction by a fine of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession for the purpose of exporting, production, import and export are indictable offences punishable by up to life imprisonment.

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