 What’s the Real Dope?

Overview What is heroin and where does it come from? What are heroin’s effects? Who uses heroin? What are signs of heroin use? What are the treatment options? What can be done to prevent heroin use? Where can we get more information?

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What is heroin? A highly addictive opiate Processed from morphine An illegal drug Has no medical use

Where does heroin come from?

Heroin Smack Horse Mud Brown Sugar Junk Black Tar Big H Dope Skag Although heroin has been around for many years, it has found new popularity.

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Immediate effects Rapid physical changes Feeling of euphoria (being “fixed”) Slow, drowsy, “in the nod” state

Heroin’s downside Impairs coordination and self-control Causes physical abnormalities Can cause overdose –Convulsions –Coma –Death

Heroin can be deadly Varying potency increases the chance of an overdose Using heroin with cocaine or alcohol is especially dangerous

Long-term effects Addiction Poor hygiene Loss of life-focus

Long-term effects Blood-borne diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis B and C Collapsed veins Severe skin infections Infection of the heart lining and valves

Withdrawal Starts in 6 to 12 hours Peaks in 48 to 72 hours Lasts about a week Has many symptoms

Effects on newborns Spontaneous abortions Low birth-weight Sudden infant death syndrome HIV/AIDS Heroin withdrawal

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Who uses heroin? About 1.4 percent of people 12 and older have used heroin. (1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) The average age of new users is dropping. (1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse)

Anyone can become a heroin user Heroin is used by both genders and by people of all economic classes, ethnicities, and cultures. Lawyers Office managersNurses Blue-collar workers White-collar professionals High school students College students Celebrities

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Clues that someone is using

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Available treatments Detoxification Therapeutic community Outpatient drug-free programs Drug therapies –Methadone maintenance –LAAM –Rezia –Naloxone –Naltrexone

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Caregivers can help prevent heroin use Establish and maintain good communication with youth Be involved in young people’s lives Be a positive role model Make clear rules and enforce them Teach youth to choose friends wisely Monitor youth activities

Adults should be role models

Prevention requires community involvement A community working together includes: Parents, youth, and families Faith communities Media Schools Professional and civic groups Health and social services Courts/law enforcement Businesses Treatment agencies and health organizations

Establish a no-use community norm

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Resources SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at ; Click on the “Drug Facts” icon Informational Web sites – – – –

Heroin: What’s the Real Dope? Click on the Drug Facts icon To order the VHS video, call: To view slide presentation, 30-minute video, and 90-minute teleconference go to:

Heroin: What’s the Real Dope? Teleconference produced by Office of National Drug Control Policy Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Guard Bureau’s Counterdrug Office National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse as part of the teleconference series Myths, Facts, and Illicit Drugs: What You Should Know

Heroin Losing Everything 40 Min