The history of heroin started in 1805 opium was isolated from morphine which was 10 times stronger. Then in 1874, heroin was refined from morphine. It wasn't until 1898 when Bayer and Company promoted heroin for medical purposes such as coughs, chest pain, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
Unfortunately, heroin affects come on rapidly and dramatically. The rush and euphoria are fast and intense. This caused a about a million people to become addicted just after the turn of the century. Drug abuse became very popular.
In 1853 the hypodermic needle was invented. Originally opiate’s were injected just under the skin. However, users discovered intravenous use placed high concentrations directly into the bloodstream through the veins. When injected in the veins heroin effects the central nervous system within about 13-30 seconds, as opposed to under the skin or in the muscle within 5-8 minutes.
Immigrants from Europe introduced snorting heroin known as “sniffing”. This method of snorting the drug into the nasal capillaries affects the central nervous system in about 5-8 minutes. Until about the 1920's heroin addicts were split evenly between “sniffers and shooters”.
There are currently an estimated 120,000 to 800,000 heroin abusers and approximately 3.1 million Americans have tried heroin. In the United States most heroin comes from Mexico and Colombia. Heroin statistics show the U.S. consumes only 3% of the world’s supply.
The major producers of heroin are:
The Golden Crescent - Southwest Asian heroin from Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan is known as “Persian brown” or “Perze” and can be more than 90% pure
The Golden Triangle - the second largest producer and exporter of heroin produces what is known as China White and can be up to 99% pure.
Mexico - Since the 1940’s Mexico has been a major supplier of heroin in the U.S. producing light or dark brown heroin. In the 1980’s a new form of Mexican heroin known as “Tar” or “Black Tar” took over a large part of the market.
Tar Heroin is potent, 40 to 80% pure, containing more impurities than the Asian refinement of the drug and costs around $20 to $25 for a small chunk.
Tar Heroin is sold as a gummy pasty substance rather than in the usual powder form. It dissolves readily in water and is more likely to be smoked. It is also called: Chapapote, Puta, Goma, Chiva, or Puro.
Some street names for Heroin include: H, Smack, Junk, Horse, Fix, Dope, Brown, Dog, Nod, China White, Black Tar, AIP, Al Capone, Antifreeze, Big doodig, China cat, Hard candy,Witch hazel, or Tootsie roll.
Many drug rehabs specialize in treatment for heroin addiction.
