Heroin
heroin; morphine; codeine; methadone; opiates; narcotics; rock; harm; minimisation; smack; junk; hammer; hit; hitting; using; whacking; fix; belt; needle; syringe; overdose; OD; tolerance; dependence; addict; addiction; withdrawal; illegal; illicit; drug; injection; inject; pregnancy; heaven; H;
Contents
What is heroin?
Heroin is a drug which is made from morphine or codeine, which are natural chemicals collected from the opium poppy. It is one of a group of drugs called opiates or narcotics. Other opiates include morphine, codeine, pethidine and methadone. Some of these can be prescribed for managing pain, but heroin cannot be used legally.
Heroin usually looks like a fine white powder, but it can also be pink or brown, and a bit lumpier (sometimes called 'rock heroin'). Heroin has a bitter taste.
Pure heroin is stronger than morphine, but street heroin is often mixed ('cut') with other chemicals such as glucose and paracetamol.
Using, keeping, selling or giving heroin to someone is illegal.
Why people use heroin
- People use heroin because it gives them a strong feeling of well being (euphoria), relaxes them and relieves pain.
- People who are addicted to heroin will continue to use it to stop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Overdosing
- If you believe that a person has overdosed on drugs or alcohol, get immediate medical assistance.
- Call an ambulance (000 in Australia) and describe the symptoms (eg. 'my friend has taken a drug and has collapsed and is unconscious'). Follow the operator's instructions.
- Have the address ready when you phone.
- When the ambulance officers get there, let them know exactly what drugs have been taken. Be honest about what has been taken - your friend needs your help right now.
Will police attend?
Police won't necessarily attend an overdose situation unless they have reports of other problems (eg. drug dealing, violence) or it occurred in a potentially unsafe location. If you act quickly by calling an ambulance, you could help save a life. If you don't call an ambulance and your friend dies, you'll most certainly be questioned about why you did not act.
Information about heroin
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/
Drug Info Clearinghouse - Australian Drug Foundation
http://druginfo.adf.org.au/
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/
Druginfo Clearinghouse – Australian Drug Foundation
http://druginfo.adf.org.au/
Methadone and other drugs used for treating dependence
For some people medication can help them stop using heroin. For example methadone is a substitute for heroin to help stop the withdrawal symptoms. Other medications can block the effects of heroin.
For more information:
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA)
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/
DrugInfo Clearinghouse – Australian Drug Foundation
http://druginfo.adf.org.au/
Risks of Injecting Drug Use
In addition to the direct risks associated with using heroin there are additional risks from injecting it intravenously. There is a risk of catching a blood-borne virus from using injecting equipment that has been used by someone else. This includes not only needles and syringes but also swabs, filters, mixing spoons, water and tourniquets. Hepatitis C is the virus most frequently caught but there is also a risk of catching Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
Have a look at the topic on Hepatitis C on this site.
Resources
South Australia
- Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) education, clinics, programs
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1300 13 13 40 a 24 hour, 7 day telephone service that provides information, counselling and referrals for people with drug problems and for concerned friends and family.
- SAVIVE - this is a service run by the AIDS Council of South Australia for injecting drug users and provides information and support.
(08) 8362 1611 or free call 1800 888 559 and ask for SAVIVE
http://www.acsa.org.au/savive.html
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
- West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?p=223
- Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19
http://www.cyh.com/SubContent.aspx?cp=187&p=222
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).