In 1874, a new drug was created by a German based company, the Bayer corporation. This drug, Heroin, came from the Greek word meaning “hero”. It was marketed as a “safe, non-additive substitute for morphine”

o Injection is the most popular manner of usage o Injecting heroin can be referred to as “slamming, hanging, shooting up, digging or mainlining”

o “Snorting” heroin is also commonly done – it is crushed into a fine powder and then gently inhaled o This manner gives the user a “faster onset” or “rush”

In 2004, Afghanistan was credited for manufacturing 87% of the worlds heroin supply. By 2011, Mexico is the second largest producer.

o By 2011, 4.2 million Americans (age 12 and older) had used heroin at least once o Of those, 90% are white/Caucasians o 23% of those that have used heroin will become addicted to it

o Fentanyl is up to 100 X more powerful than morphine and X more powerful than heroin o Transdermal patches may be cut up and eaten or the gel from inside the patch smoked.

o Another dosage form of Fentanyl appearing on he streets is the Fentanyl lollipops – sold under the street name of “percopop” o Fentanyl needs to be handled with caution since it can be absorbed through the skin, eyes or mouth

o Some heroin dealers mix Fentanyl powder with heroin to increase the potency for low-quality heroin o This combination is known as “magic” or “the bomb” among the streets.

o Deaths occur when the breathing is suppressed and is due to lack of oxygen to the brain. o Increases with interacting other drugs/alcohol o In 2013, deaths in United States rose to 8260, which had quadrupled since o Drugs related deaths are 4 times higher in men then women and the age group most affected is

o 2010 – 2013 Heroin deaths have increases 173% o 8250 deaths can be attributed to heroin o People who abuse prescription drugs have substituted heroin for the prescription painkillers because heroin is cheaper