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• Drug Info:

Heroin

Also known as:
SMACK – GEAR – H – BROWN – HORSE – JUNK – SKAG – JACK

WHAT IS IT?

Heroin is a painkilling drug made from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy. It comes as a white powder when pure. Street heroin is often off- white or light brown.
It is snorted, smoked or dissolved and injected.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Heroin is a class A drug. It is illegal to have, give away or sell.
Possession can get you up to 7 years in jail. Supplying someone else with it can get you life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

THE EFFECTS

• In small doses, heroin can make a person feel warm, sleepy and contented.
• It reduces pain and can make you forget your worries.
• In larger doses, it can make a person feel drowsy.

THE RISKS

• Heroin is very addictive.
• If you become dependant on heroin you may end up taking it just to feel normal.
• Excessive amounts can lead to overdose, coma or in some cases death.
• Injecting can damage veins and cause gangrene.
• Sharing needles or equipment puts you at risk of dangerous infections like hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.
• Smoking heroin does not make the drug safe. Those who start by smoking or snorting sometimes switch to injecting to maximize the high.
• Withdrawing from heroin can be very hard. Many people manage to kick the drug but mentally it may take years to be free.
• Most street heroin is mixed with chemicals and other substances like soap powder or chalk dust.
• Injecting heroin can take over your life and affect your relationship with friends and family.

PLAY IT SAFE
Drugs can severely damage your physical and mental health.

They can get you in to trouble with the law and even kill you.
But if you do decide to use drugs, reduce the risks by finding out as much as you can about the effects, risks, etc. and then decide if it’s really worth it.

If you do decide to use drugs keep these points in mind: –

If you’re dancing wear light clothing.

The smaller you are the less drugs you need to get the same effect, but where you are and the mood you are in will also affect the way you’ll react.

Don’t score off strangers; poor quality drugs can give you bad trips.

Mixing drugs and alcohol can be fatal.

Never drive if you have had drugs.

Always carry a condom; never risk unprotected sex.

FIRST AID
If your mate collapses call 999.
Get help to put them into the recovery position.
Tell the medics what they have taken.
IT COULD SAVE THEIR LIFE

This information leaflet has been put together by:
FUSION Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Service, and an initiative of the Gwent Council on Alcohol and Drug Misuse.

The information on this leaflet is correct at the time of going to press.

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