“I’m scared of what I would become, what I would do, and who I would hurt if I was high or wasted.”
AKA
Smack, horse, brown sugar, dope, H, junk, skag, skunk, white horse, China white, Mexican black tar
WHAT IS IT?
Heroin is an opiate and a highly addictive drug. It’s produced from morphine, a naturally occurring substance that comes from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. People abuse heroin by injecting, snorting or smoking it. All three ways can cause the same level of addiction, as well as serious health problems.
THE RISKS
Heroin enters the brain very quickly. This effect makes it very addictive. And each time you use heroin, the more you need to get high. One of the greatest risks with this drug is how extremely easy it is to become dependent. It’s estimated that almost one-fourth of the people who try heroin become addicted.
It’s nearly impossible to know the actual strength or purity of heroin because it’s often combined with toxic ingredients. This is one of the reasons why using heroin always carries the risk of infection, overdose and death. Also, heroin often has additives that will not dissolve in the bloodstream. This can easily cause a blood clot to form and travel to the lungs, liver, heart or brain, which is instantly fatal.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
In a short amount of time, regular heroin use destroys the body. Common conditions that plague heroin users include infection of the heart lining and valves, liver disease, lung disease, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, from needle use.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It is a fast high, but it’s one that can be instantly fatal. Also, the high risk of addiction should make you stop and think before ever giving it a try. One time could lead to a lifetime of chasing a high that can ruin your body and your life.
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