Heroin

A Growing Epidemic
Tim, Greg, Luke
How and where is Heroin made?

Heroin is created from the resin of

poppy plants. Opium is first removed
from the pod of the poppy flower and
then refined twice to make a morphine-
like substance and then to different
types of heroin.
The flower to make this drug is found
in Africa and refined in the Middle
East and South America. Afghanistan is
popular in heroin production.
What are the Short-Term and Long-
Term Effects of Heroin?
 The short-term effects include a
sensation of a “rush” and the intensity
of this rush varies on how much heroin is
taken. (dry mouth, nausea)
 Constant use of heroin will result in
long-term effects such as changes to the
structure of the brain and changes in the
hormonal systems. There is also decay of
the brain which affects a person’s
decision making and responses to
stressful behavior. (liver/kidney
The drug’s reactions, value, nicknames,
dangers, and uses.
 According to health24.com, “health
activates certain receptors in the brain
(neurotransmitters)” The result is a feel
of a rush and pleasure. Heroin affects
the brain and also the heart as it will
increase a person’s heartbeat.
 An intake of heroin can result in
dizziness and vomiting.
 On the street, 0.1 gram of heroin can
cost $15-$20. There is NO pharmaceutical
value to heroin. It is not used to
The drug’s reactions, value, nicknames,
dangers, and uses. (Contin…)
 Some nicknames of the drug includes:
smack, Big H, Junk, Dragon, Mud
 The dangers of heroin include the
deterioration of the brain’s white matter
and addiction. A first use of heroin can
increase the chances of developing a
major drug addiction later in life.
 Heroin can be injected and inhaled.
Uses of the Drug among Age.

Children: Very Rare

Teens: Rare
Young Adults: Very Common
Adults: Common
Seniors: Rare
“In 2017, males aged 25-44 had the
highest heroin death rate at 14.8 per
100,000, which was a decrease of -4.5%
from 2016.” (www.cdc.gov)
Heroin intake and substances.

The drug is used usually with a syringe

which is injected into the veins,
muscles and/or under the skin . It can
also be smoked.
Withdrawal symptoms? Overdose?

Some withdrawal symptoms include:

Intense drug cravings, extreme
sweating, nausea and vomiting, feelings
of heaviness of the body.
In case someone overdoses on heroin,
the effects include coma, brain death,
seizures or permanent brain damage.
Famous people affected by the Drug.

Robert Downey Jr.

Philip Seymour Hoffman
Carrie Fisher
Keith Richards
Corey Feldman
Cory Monteith
References/Sources

1. https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/hero
in/what-does-heroin-look-like.html
2. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/resea
rch-reports/heroin/what-heroin
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/celebritie
s-heroin-addiction#8
4. https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-
topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-
rates (chart statistics)
5. https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/hero
in.html