Heroin Information

HEROIN
Brown, gear, h, horse, skag, smack

What is it?
A powerful drug made from the opium poppy; usually comes as a powder, but sometimes also in solid or liquid form.

How is it taken?
Smoked, snorted, or dissolved (or ‘cooked up’) and injected.

Legal status
A Class A drug; maximum penalty for possession is seven years in prison, for dealing, life in prison and an unlimited fine – or both

Effects
• Feelings of warmth and wellbeing
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Numbed senses
• Dulled pain
• Deep muscle relaxation
• Nausea and vomiting

Risks
• Damaged veins, blood poisoning and gangrene from injecting
• Increased risk of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS from sharing equipment
• Strong cravings for more
• All consuming mental and physical dependence
• Risk of overdose and death

In the nineteenth century, Britain was involved in a trade dispute with China known as the Opium Wars.

Heroin is a bad mixer. Taking heroin with cocaine (known as a speedball) can be fatal