1. Safiya Bouacheria and Serena Mott
Heroin
Safiya Bouacheria and Serena Mott

2. Street Names for Heroin

3. Labels, Categories, and Terms
What kind of drug is Heroin?
It’s an opioid drug. It’s made from morphine, which comes from the seeds of poppy plants. This means that it’s organic. (Abuse, National Institute on Drug)
Is Heroin legal?
No. Since Heroin is a highly addictive drug, it is illegal to possess/sell/consume it. (Washington Heroin Laws)
What are the different forms of Heroin?
It can be a white, brown, or black powder. The black powder is sticky and called “black tar heroin”

4. What the Different Forms of Heroin Look Like
Black Tar Heroin
White Powder
Brown Powder

5. How is Heroin Consumed?
Heroin can be consumed in three different ways:

6. How is Heroin Consumed?
Heroin can be consumed in three different ways:
Injected into the vein through a needle.

7. How is Heroin Consumed?
Heroin can be consumed in three different ways:
Injected into the vein through a needle.
Snorted/sniffed

8. How is Heroin Consumed?
Heroin can be consumed in three different ways:
Injection to the vein through a needle.
Snorted/sniffed
Smoked
High purity heroin is typically snorted or smoked.
(Abuse, National Institute on Drug)

9. Short Term Effects Affects feelings of pain and pleasure
Controls sleep, heart rate, and breathing
Dry mouth
Itchiness
Vomiting
Flushed skin
Constantly switching between being conscious and unconscious
(Abuse, National Institute on Drug)

10. Long Term Effects Difficulty sleeping Shrunken/collapsed veins
Insomnia
Shrunken/collapsed veins
For those that inject Heroin
Ruined nose tissue
For those that sniff/snort Heroin
Heart problems
Infections on the heart lining and heart valves
Stomach problems
Constipation or cramping
Organ disease
Specifically in the liver and kidneys

11. Long Term Effects Continued
Lung problems
ie Pneumonia
Mental disorders
Depression or Antisocial Personality Disorder
Sexual/fertility problems
ie irregular menstrual cycle
HIV
Caused by sharing needles
(Abuse, National Institute on Drug)

12. Impact on the Community
CRIME
Most shoplifting is because users want to sell the stolen product for money to buy drugs
Prostitution is also another way to obtain money to buy the drug
Assaults are more common, because someone might owe the user money for drugs
Mugging other people for their drugs
Crime over drugs can range from shoplifting to murder
In some situations where there is a community of homeless people, it is a possibility that tents/possessions could be burned
(Brian R. Root)

13. Other Unique Information
Heroin is the most frequently used illegal drug in seattle
Heroin is usually consumed in public bathrooms, since they have a better chance of not being disturbed
Heroin is usually used in single-stall bathrooms, since they’re more secluded and they user has less of a chance of being bothered
It’s more likely to die of an overdose in a bathroom with stalls, because people usually don’t bother someone in a stall next to them, whereas in a single-stall one, people may get suspicious
A common sign of Heroin use is having a black color underneath the fingernails from handling the drug
Heroin is not really a recreational drug. It usually only takes one hit to become addicted, and it turns into a mental/physiological necessity
The biggest problem during an overdose is lack of oxygen, because the Heroin suppresses respiratory drive
(Brian R. Root)

14. Other Unique Information (Overdose)
OVERDOSING
During a Heroin overdose, breathing decreases from breaths a minute to only 3-4 a minute
An overdose can cause sweating profusely
During an overdose, the user is COMPLETELY unresponsive (ie pressure points to regain consciousness do not work, and neither do pain triggers)
When overdosed, the heart rate dramatically elevates due to the lack of oxygen in the blood stream
The user’s pupils do not dilate, meaning that they stay extremely small (pinpoint pupils)
Narcan (Naloxone) is very commonly used to treat an overdose in emergency situations
Reverses the effects of Heroin
Temporarily blocks the the drug from absorption
Narcan can only be used in a very short time frame
The body metabolizes it quickly, so it needs to be given to the user very frequently
Narcan works very quickly. Giving Narcan to someone who has overdosed can be compared to giving glucose to someone with Diabetes
When the user is given too much too fast, he/she will feel nauseous, and will generally be aggressive
(Brian R. Root)

15. Bibliography
Abuse, National Institute on Drug. “Heroin.” NIDA,
“Washington Heroin Laws.” Findlaw, statelaws.findlaw.com/washington-law/washington-heroin-laws.html.
Brian R. Root, Fireman, Seattle Fire Department Engine Company 13

16. Pictures