An Educational Perspective

Based on Information Contained In

The Indiana Prevention Resource Center

Factline on Heroin

By the end of this presentation:

you will have…

(1) Been exposed to general information about Heroin.

(2) Learned some basic facts about Heroin users in Indiana.

(3) Viewed the potential consequences of Heroin use, both short-term and long-term.

(4) Learned about prevention efforts in Indiana.

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that produces a euphoric effect and relieves pain (analgesic effect).

Pure heroin is an odorless white powder with a bitter taste.

Street heroin (often containing other substances) can range from off-white to dark brown in color.

There is also a “black-tar” variant that is popular in Indiana.

Preferred methods of use include:Preferred methods of use include:

Smoking

Sniffing (inhaling powder through the nose)

Injection

Some users take heroin in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol and cocaine.

Very often, users are not aware of precisely what they are putting into their bodies…

Heroin dealers often add substances such as sugar, starch, quinine, and powdered milk to heroin to increase profits.

Users are generally unaware that thisis done, which increases the risk of overdose or death.

Typical street names include:

Black Tar

Smack

Brown Sugar

Skag

Junk

Heroin is produced in South America, Mexico, and Southeast/Southwest Asia.- Most production in Mexico and South America (outlined in red on the map) is targeted at US populations.

- Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles dominate the market for illegal Heroin sales and distribution.

Users are of all ages and come from all walks of life.

In 2004, 2.3% of Indiana 12th grade students reported having used Heroin at least once in their lives.

Nationally, only 1.5% of 12th graders reported having used Heroin at least once in their lives.

EuphoriaSlurred Speech

Impaired Night Vision

Drowsiness

Dry Mouth

Constricted Pupils

Restlessness

Insomnia

Vomiting Nausea

Respiratory Failure

Clogging of Blood Vessels

Abscesses

Liver Disease

Involuntary Kicking Movements

Pregnant mothers who use heroin are at risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and some neonatal abnormalities.

Some behaviors commonly practiced among Heroin users can spread:

-HIV

-Hepatitis B (HBV)

-Hepatitis C (HCV)

This results from communal use of syringes/needles, cookers, filters, and other components of Heroin use.

In most cases…

Withdraw leads to severe bone pain, chills,diarrhea, insomnia, panic, and depression within 24 to 48 hours.

In extreme cases…

Withdraw symptoms can last for weeks…

Among already-addicted users…

After 1 year, the difference between users who sniffed/snorted crack/cocaine and those who didn’t was significant in terms of whether or not they quit heroin.

Sniff/Snort Crack/Cocaine

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%

Quitters Continuers

Sniff/SnortCrack/Cocaine

Sherman, Hua, and Latkin, 2004

After 1 year, the difference between users who purchased drugs where they lived and those who didn’t was significant in terms of whether or not they quit heroin.

Purchase Drugs Where They Live

0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%90.0%

100.0%

Quitters Continuers

Purchase Drugs WhereThey Live

Sherman, Hua, and Latkin, 2004

Heroin is a Schedule 1 substance; it has no approved medical use in the United States.

Crimes related to drug-trafficking are the most serious criminal threat to the state of Indiana.

Possession of the drug can result in heavy penalties, including lifetime imprisonment.

The Indiana Prevention Resource Center’s Survey on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents; Data from 1996-2005.

http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/survey/atod/index.html

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

http://www.in.gov/cji/index.html

The National Institute on Drug Abuse

www.nida.nih.gov/

Other References:

Jun, M.K., et al. (2005). Alcohol, Tobacco ,and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents: The Indiana Prevention Resource Center Survey – 2005 (IDAP Monograph No. 05-01). Bloomington, IN:

Indiana Prevention Resource Center.

Johnston, L.D., O’Malley, P.M., and Bachman, J.G. (2003). Monitoring the future national survey results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings, 2002. (NIH Publication No. 03-5374). Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Drug Abuse.

National Institute of Drug Abuse. (April, 2004). NIDA InfoFacts /- Heroin. Retrieved June 7, 2004 from http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/heroin.html.

National Drug Intelligence Center. (April, 2001). Indiana drug threat assessment. Retrieved July 12, 2004 from http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubso/660/heroin.htm.

Sherman, S. G., Hua, W., and Latkin, C. A. (2004). Individual and environmental factors related to quitting heroin injection. Substance

Use & Misuse, 39(8), 1199-1214.

Content in this presentation based, in part, on a Factline produced by Bilesha Perera, Ph.D, MS in 2005 and © The Indiana Prevention Resource Center.

All images in this presentation are © their original owner. The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University is funded, in part, by a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction.The IPRC is operated by the Department of Applied Health Science and the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Trustees of Indiana University or the Division of Mental Health and Addiction. Indiana University accepts full responsibilityfor the content of this publication. ©2005 The Trustees of Indiana University. Permission is extended to reproduce this presentation for non-profit educational purposes. All other rights reserved.