Heroin

HEROIN Lesson goal To introduce students to the health risks of using heroin and the tie-in to opioid misuse, and the penalties for violating Virginia laws governing these.

Students will learn: Virginia laws concerning controlled substances HEROIN Students will learn: Virginia laws concerning controlled substances Virginia laws restricting heroin and prescription opioid possession and use Heroin abuse is a serious health and safety threat to young people

HEROIN A deadly trend Nationally, in the last decade deaths from drug overdose in people aged 12-25 has more than doubled. In Virginia, deaths from heroin and opioid use have outnumbered highway fatalities since 2014.

What is heroin? Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is made from morphine, which comes from certain poppies. Pure heroin is white and has a bitter taste. Street heroin is usually “cut” with other substances and can be brown, rose grey, or black.

What are prescription opioids? HEROIN What are prescription opioids? Opioids are medications that relive pain. They include: hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) and oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet) – products used for relieving conditions like dental surgery and injury-related pain. morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza) – often used before and after surgical procedures to alleviate severe pain codeine – often prescribed for mild pain or other conditions such as coughs. Prescription opioids have valid medical uses, but they can also be extremely addictive.

HEROIN What is addiction? Addiction is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as: A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain – they change its structure and the way it works.

HEROIN What is addiction? cont. Addiction happens when the body requires increased amounts of a drug to keep away painful withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can start just hours after the last drug use. Major withdrawal peaks 48 – 72 hours after stopping. Sudden withdrawal can be fatal to a heavy user. Addiction is treatable, often with a combination of medication and behavior therapy, but relapse is common. Cravings and withdrawal symptoms can last a lifetime.

How heroin affects your health

How are opioids related to heroin? The use of painkillers and heroin have similar effects on the body, producing the same “high.” Users often start off misusing prescription drugs, then switch to heroin when it’s harder to get the prescription meds they’ve become addicted to.

HEROIN Overdose When someone takes too much of a substance, they overdose. A heroin overdose can cause serious, harmful symptoms, or even death by : Slowing or stopping breathing Causing a blood pressure drop, fluid around the heart, or heart failure Overdose also happens when a user takes more heroin than their body is used to – perhaps their tolerance was just reduced in rehab, or a dose is stronger than they thought. (Since heroin is a street drug it’s not regulated)

Overdose, cont. Signs of a heroin overdose include: slow breathing; blue lips and fingernails; cold damp skin, and shaking. It is critical that someone who is overdosing get immediate medical attention, as the person may die if left untreated.

Drug crimes in Virginia law HEROIN Drug crimes in Virginia law Virginia law defines three major types of drug crimes: Possession Distribution Manufacturing

Drug crimes in Virginia law, cont. HEROIN Drug crimes in Virginia law, cont. Possession occurs when a person possesses any controlled substance without a valid prescription. Distribution or sale occurs when a person sells, provides, gives away, delivers, or distributes a controlled substance. Manufacturing occurs when a person produces a controlled substance without legal authorization, or possesses chemicals used in the manufacture of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture.

HEROIN Offenses at school Every Virginia school has signs marking a drug-free school zone. Within that zone, penalties are greater. If a student brings drugs to school, the school must notify local law enforcement. The student will then be subject to criminal action, as well as school disciplinary action such as expulsion.

Drug searches at school HEROIN Drug searches at school Can law enforcement can search for drugs at your school? Yes. Officers may periodically make unannounced visits to any public school to detect the presence of illegal drugs, and they may use drug dogs. If a law enforcement officer finds drugs in someone’s possession, the officer will confiscate them and charge the person with possession of a controlled substance in violation of Virginia law.

HEROIN Good Samaritan Law A heroin overdose can cause death. But people may hesitate to call for vital medical help because they don’t want to get in trouble themselves. Under the Good Samaritan Law, if a person: reports an overdose to a firefighter, EMS personnel or law enforcement (usually by calling 911) identifies themselves as the one reporting the overdose and cooperates with law enforcement They are eligible for “affirmative defense” and may be protected from being convicted for certain possession or intoxication crimes. (Code of Virginia § 18.2-251.03)

HEROIN Help is available If you or anyone you know needs help, talk to a trusted adult or check the Heroin section of VirginiaRules.org for this info: Local Community Services Boards: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/individuals-andfamilies/ community-services-boards Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: 1-800-662-HELP or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov Have a Drug Problem, Need Help?: http://teens.drugabuse.gov/have-a-drug-problem-need-help

Review and recap You have learned: HEROIN Review and recap You have learned: Heroin abuse is a growing problem and there are laws that prohibit using this illegal and controlled substance; Heroin is extremely addictive, and very dangerous; Drug laws in Virginia define categories of drugs and types of offenses, and prescribe penalties for the possession, distribution, and manufacture of drugs;

HEROIN Review and recap, cont. There are additional laws about bringing drugs to school that have both criminal and disciplinary consequences, including expulsion from school; and The Good Samaritan Law provides protection to people who report an overdose, if they follow certain guidelines.

ANY use of heroin is dangerous use. Remember Remember: • Using heroin can be life threatening. • Addiction can occur very easily with heroin. • Possessing heroin is illegal and a felony offense. • Virginia laws and heroin do not mix! ANY use of heroin is dangerous use.