Heroin: What is it?

eroin (like opium and morphine) is made from the resin of poppy plants. Milky, sap-like opium is first extracted from the pod of the flower. This opium is refined to make morphine, then further refined into different forms of heroin.⁽³⁾

In its purest form, heroin is a fine white, granular powder. It can also be rose, gray, brown or black colored. Its tint reflects the relative purity of the drug and what additives have been used to dilute it, which can include sugar, caffeine or other substances. ^{(5, 6, 7)}

	“Heroin cut me off from the rest of the world. My parents kicked me out. My friends and my brothers didn’t want to see me anymore. I was all alone.” — Dave, Drug Addict(1)

Heroin can be injected (the strongest and most dangerous method of use), 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.

For heroin is highly addictive and withdrawal extremely painful. The drug quickly breaks down the immune system, finally leaving one sickly, gaunt and, ultimately dead.^{(5, 6)}