Here are some things you Here are some things you should know about this life should know about this life

changing substancechanging substance..

• The opium poppy was cultivated in The opium poppy was cultivated in Mesopotamia as long ago as 3400 BC.Mesopotamia as long ago as 3400 BC.

• The chemical analysis of opium in the 19th The chemical analysis of opium in the 19th century revealed that most of its activity century revealed that most of its activity

could be prescribed as two alkaloids, could be prescribed as two alkaloids, codeine and morphine. codeine and morphine.

History Cont.History Cont.

• From 1898 through to 1910, heroin was From 1898 through to 1910, heroin was marketed as a non-addictive morphine substitute marketed as a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough suppressantand cough suppressant

• Bayer marketed heroin as a cure for morphine Bayer marketed heroin as a cure for morphine addiction before it was discovered that it is addiction before it was discovered that it is rapidly metabolized into morphine, and as such, rapidly metabolized into morphine, and as such, "heroin" was essentially a quicker acting form of "heroin" was essentially a quicker acting form of morphinemorphine

• The company was embarrassed by this new The company was embarrassed by this new finding and it became a historical blunder for finding and it became a historical blunder for BayerBayer. .

Description and Family

• White• Powdery• Sometimes in

crystallized form• Family: Opioid

Effects: Long and Short TermEffects: Long and Short Term

• Short Term: drowsy, dry mouth, slowed Short Term: drowsy, dry mouth, slowed breathing, and weaknessbreathing, and weakness

• Long Term: addiction, collapsed veins, Long Term: addiction, collapsed veins, infection of heart lining and valves, infection of heart lining and valves, pneumonia, and decreased function of pneumonia, and decreased function of liverliver

WithdrawalWithdrawal

• Dilated pupils, goose bumps, watery eyes, Dilated pupils, goose bumps, watery eyes, runny noserunny nose

• Yawning, panic, muscle cramps, Yawning, panic, muscle cramps, depression, and moredepression, and more

Effects on FetusEffects on Fetus

• Poor or abnormal growth, premature Poor or abnormal growth, premature delivery, stillbirth, and withdrawal delivery, stillbirth, and withdrawal symptoms (because the baby is addicted, symptoms (because the baby is addicted, too)too)

Other FactsOther Facts

• Street Names: black tar, skag, horse, smack, Street Names: black tar, skag, horse, smack, junk, chieva, gear, Evil, H, dog food, baby junk, chieva, gear, Evil, H, dog food, baby powder, and brownstonepowder, and brownstone

• Chemical Name: CChemical Name: C2121HH2323NONO55

• Sells in America generally for 172 dollars per Sells in America generally for 172 dollars per gramgram

• Biggest producer is Afghanistan, making 87% Biggest producer is Afghanistan, making 87% of itof it

• Can addict you with just one tryCan addict you with just one try

Sources

• Wikipedia.org• NIDA InfoFacts