Heroin is an illegal opiate and highly addictive drug. It is derived from poppy plants, and is available on the streets in the form of white or brown powder. Heroin is also known as Smack, Brown Sugar, China White, H, Aunt Hazel, Bart Simpson, Dr. Feelgood, Birdie Powder, Dog Food, Hong-yen, Lemonade, Mexican Mud, Old Steve, Pangonadalot, Witch Hazel, etc. Heroin is a very dangerous drug because no one knows the exact potency of the drug, and this can cause death due to overdose. Heroin can be snorted, smoked or injected. Since heroin abuse is rampant, and drug addicts pay minimum or no regard to safety measures, there have been many instances of HIV transmission through the sharing of contaminated needles.
The short term effects of heroin are a warm feeling, itching, vomiting and nausea. Heroin binds with the opiate receptors in the brain easily, which in turn affects the central nervous system causing drowsiness that can last for hours. Heroin is so addictive that users can make it the purpose of their life to obtain this drug and use it.
Some heroin withdrawal symptoms are a loss of appetite, chills, body pain, runny nose and eyes, confusion, stomach cramps, sweating, tremors, panic attacks, irritability, etc. An overdose of heroin can result in delirium, low blood pressure, and a weak pulse, breathing irregularities, spasms and even death.