Heroin is a depressant drug which means it slows down your body’s systems. This in turn affects concentration, balance and coordination. Heroin will affect a person’s ability to drive any kind of vehicle or operate machinery. When combined with other depressant drugs such as alcohol or cannabis, it is even more dangerous, resulting in a coma or even death.
The Law
In Queensland it is illegal to possess, sell or use heroin.
Tolerance and Dependence
Tolerance develops very quickly with continued use. The body soon learns to cope with heroin, and the same dose produces weaker and weaker effects each time the drug is used.
Most heroin users very quickly become physically and psychologically dependent on heroin. The body chemistry of the user changes until he/she must keep on taking the drug just to feel normal.
Most users feel that they can control their use but this is rarely true. Very soon, they become totally dependent and their whole life revolves around getting and using the drug. Most users also begin to rely on the feelings heroin gives them, to defend them from the pressures of the real world.
Withdrawal
Sudden withdrawal from heroin use is usually uncomfortable but rarely causes death. There is less danger withdrawing from heroin than from alcohol or barbiturates. The user may have feel like he/she has a severe bout of flu.
Symptoms include:
- runny nose,
- sore eyes,
- sore throat,
- headache,
- diarrhoea,
- stomach cramps,
- profuse sweating
- wild temperature fluctuations,
- aching muscles,
- severe cramps
- stiff joints.
As well as these physical problems, the user will feel a real psychological craving to continue the drug. These urges to go back to using heroin are very powerful, and relapses in those trying to give it up are very common.
Overdose
The strength of heroin sold on the street is often unknown and it is easy to use too much and overdose. This causes severe breathing problems and coma. Unless medical help is obtained quickly, the breathing rate will continue to fall until it stops altogether and the person dies.
Heroin Tablets. Unlike the heroin tablets produced in the past, these are intended for oral use, not injection.
Freeze-dried heroin ampoules which are made in various strengths.
Pakistan and Afghanistan heroin. Most heroin seized in this country today originates from the north-west frontier region of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Chinese heroin ‘No 3’ in distinctive granules. Produced for smoking, it was encountered in London during the early 1970’s
Chinese heroin ‘No 4’ – a more refined form of heroin originating in the same ‘Golden Triangle’ area as Chinese heroin ‘No 3’
‘Tracking marks’, along the veins in the arm. Ulcers, sores, puncture wounds and bruises develop at the site of repeated injections
‘Tracking marks’, along the veins in the leg. Ulcers, sores, puncture wounds and bruises develop at the site of repeated injections
A street user deal of heroin which may vary from 125-250mg and cost approximately $25
