Hero1g, Heroin 1g

What is heroin?

Heroin is an opioid. Opioids include any drug that acts on opioid receptors in the brain, and any natural or synthetic drugs that are derived from, or related to, the opium poppy. Opiates are a subset of opioids, which are naturally derived from the opium poppy plant, rather than synthetic substances.¹

What does Heroin look like?

Heroin comes in different forms, including:

• fine white powder
• coarse off-white granules
• tiny pieces of light brown ‘rock’.¹

It is normally sold in ‘caps’ (a small amount, usually enough for one injection) or grams. It is usually packaged in ‘foils’ (aluminium foil packaging) or small, coloured balloons.

Other names

Smack, gear, hammer, the dragon, H, dope, junk, harry, horse, black tar, white dynamite, homebake, china white, Chinese H, poison, Dr Harry

Effects of heroin

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Heroin affects everyone differently, based on:

• the person’s size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (it varies from batch to batch).

The main effects of heroin, which usually last for three to five hours, include:

• intense pleasure and pain relief
• relaxation and drowsiness
• confusion and clumsiness
• feelings of detachment
• slurred and slow speech
• slow breathing and heartbeat
• dry mouth
• tiny pupils
• reduced appetite and vomiting
• decreased sex drive.^1-3