What Does Heroin Look Like? - Drug-Free World

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• Heroin: What Is It?
• What Does Heroin Look Like?
• International Statistics
• The Destructive Effects of Heroin
• Long-Term Effects
• “I’ll Just Try It Once.”
• A Very Slippery Slope
• Cheese Heroin
• What Dealers Will Tell You
• The Truth About Drugs

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Email Address WHAT DOES HEROIN LOOK LIKE? Photo credit: istock.com/Stephanie Horrocks

In its purest form, heroin is a fine white powder. But more often, it is found to be rose gray, brown or black in color. The coloring comes from additives which have been used to dilute it, which can include sugar, caffeine or other substances. Street heroin is sometimes “cut” with strychnine1 or other poisons. The various additives do not fully dissolve, and when they are injected into the body, can clog the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, kidneys or brain. This itself can lead to infection or destruction of vital organs.

The user buying heroin on the street never knows the actual strength of the drug in that particular packet. Thus, users are constantly at risk of an overdose.

Heroin can be injected, smoked or sniffed. The first time it is used, the drug creates a sensation of being high. A person can feel extroverted, able to communicate easily with others and may experience a sensation of heightened sexual performance—but not for long.

Heroin is highly addictive and withdrawal extremely painful. The drug quickly breaks down the immune system, finally leaving one sickly, extremely thin and bony and, ultimately, dead.

1. 1. a stimulant used for rat poison which induces violent convulsions and is deadly.

STREET NAMES

HEROIN: Big H Brown Sugar H Hell Dust Horse Junk Nose Drops Skag Smack Thunder

How much do you really know about heroin?

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Heroin is a drug used by millions around the world who know that if they stop, they face the horror of withdrawal. Get the facts.

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