Heroin Paper

Submitted By Jack-Markham
Words: 1789
Pages: 8
Open Document
Jack Markham English 11/Set: 6
6/12/14 Research Paper

Heroin. Big H, smack, junk, black tar, dope, snow…it has many names, multiple forms, and a very strong grasp. Heroin is an opiate, a class of drugs that are either naturally derived from the flowers of the poppy plant, or synthetic substitutes. In the case of heroin, it’s produced from morphine, a naturally occurring substance that comes from the seedpod of poppy plants. This drug is and has been increasing in popularity for years now among the world’s youth. A 2008 study in Vermont stated that heroin use had increased by 770% since the year 2000. Also, the National Institute of Drug Abuse states that 11.4% of all residents in rehabilitation centers are between the ages of 12 and 19 years old (Volkow). This rapid increase is mostly due to the over availability of prescription and over the counter drugs, and specifically opiates and painkillers. The increase in domestic abuse and the idea of escapism also plays a large role in this growing issue. Based on multiple studies throughout the country, child abuse has almost doubled within the past year, and the majority of these children are under the age of 5 years old. Flashbacks and memories of the events often cause the victim to want to escape their home, their thoughts and memories, and reality all together. Drugs are an easy solution to those problems due to their mind-altering effects. This can lead the victim down the road of drug abuse and addiction, ranging from alcohol and cigarettes to harder drugs such as methamphetamines and heroin. If the issue of increasing heroin use among teens is not resolved, these numbers will only grow; degrading our youth and generations to come. All opiate abuse, including heroin and many prescriptions painkillers, carries a strong risk of addiction and physical dependence. Heroin is abused by injecting, snorting or smoking it, and all three can cause the same level of addiction, as well as serious health problems. As soon as heroin enters the brain, it transforms back into morphine and rushes through the body. This process is fastest through injecting the drug, rather than snorting or smoking it, which is why it is the favored and most common practice of using heroin (Above the Influence). Though injecting the drug gets the fastest and best high, it carries the greatest health risk. When injecting heroin, there are two different methods; direct injection and "skin-popping". Direct injection is self-explanatory enough; the user finds a vein and deposits the drug directly into that vein. This carries a much higher risk of overdose and heart/vein problems than skin-popping does. Skin-popping is by no means a healthier method of use, though. The term is originated from the act of sticking the needle into the users arm (often through their clothes) wherever. This became a more common practice when user's veins became too difficult to find, or too many of them collapsed. Skin-popping gives the user a much more painful injection, and a slightly lesser high, and also carries a risk of fat and muscle infection. Injecting heroin in a single place multiple times lessens the high, which is why users exploit many different veins in their arms, and sometimes cycle through different areas until they are no longer capable of giving the user the desired high; or level of euphoria. Each time a person uses heroin, they develop more and more of a tolerance. This unduly leads to an increase in the amount of heroin the person is injecting (if they are still able to), and furthermore, their desperation for the drug when they run out. Many drug users resort to awful things that at one time may have completely conflicted with their morals and ideas of what is right and wrong, or where to draw a line on a certain subject matter or activity. In a state of withdrawal and craving, a multitude of users and addicts will steal (both money to buy drugs, and/or the drugs
Show More

Related Documents: Heroin Paper

Heroin Research Paper

Heroin Heroin is the utmost addictive pain-relieving flower affecting the neurological transmitters of the spinal cord and brain. Producers are Afghanistan, Asia, South America, and Mexico. The use is cheaper and easier without doctor’s permission for analgesic narcotics. Most popular approach is injection into the veins for a quick high. The effects are physical and psychological tolerance leading to dependence. The treatment of heroin overdose and addiction are available to help stop abuse. Heroin…

Words 568 - Pages 3

Heroin Research paper

Honors and Heroin Doing drugs is a curiosity every teenager faces, but the difference between those who choose to do them and those who do not, ultimately comes down to the will power of the individual. Of course, peer pressure is a great factor in teenager’s decision for using drugs, but peer pressure can only do so much It all comes down to how the teen chooses to handle the situation. Through increased availability and parents’ oblivion the use of heroin among teens has had an intense rise…

Words 1436 - Pages 6

Heroin Addiction Research Paper

13 Nov. 2014 Teenage Heroin Addiction Many teens in the suburbs are suffering from heroin addiction. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health an estimate of 20.4 Americans age 12 or older are heroin users (National ). Also,The Center for Disease control reports that teenagers who partake in heroin use within their lifetime is declining (National ). Amongst 12th graders, the number has decreased from 3.0 percent in 2001 to 2.0 percent. Teen heroin addiction is caused by stress…

Words 519 - Pages 3

Heroin Addiction Research Paper

been rising because of the heroin overdose. The information that will be in this essay is coming from “Safe heroin injection sites get OK from King County health board”, By David Gutman, “Drug overdose deaths cause U.S. life expectancy to drop for 2nd year”, By Associated Press, “Issue Overview: Heroin Addiction”, By Lauren Etter. The three articles have similar as well as different perspectives on the issue over heroin. Many have the same central idea stating that heroin is an unhealthy and abundant…

Words 386 - Pages 2

Heroin Addiction Research Paper

Heroin, a growing addiction in teens and young adults, has risen in purity and decreased in price(Heroin Dependence). Sociologists and scientists who have an interest in this spike, blame factors such as the price and purity, ease of acquiring, and dependence on opioid’s such as prescription pain killers for the recent numbers of heroin overdoses in teens. This epidemic spread from inner city areas to the suburbs, where heroin originally did not have a grip on the drug scene, which causes researchers…

Words 1777 - Pages 8

The Effects of Heroin on a Person’s Brain and Body: a Literature Review Essay

Running Head: EFFECTS OF HEROIN ON A PERSON The Effects of Heroin on a Person’s Brain and Body: A Literature Review Heather Huber Walden University Psych 8226-04 Biopsychology Dr. John Redmon August 18, 2010 Abstract This literature review looks at the detrimental effects of heroin. Since many heroin users often become addicted, it is important to look at its ramifications. Beginning with a brief history of the substance, then discussing treatment programs…

Words 1929 - Pages 8

Speech 3 Essay

Nick Robinson Heroin & Lsd 2/17/2013 Heroin is a very addictive drug; that’s the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is mixed with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or…

Words 851 - Pages 4

heroin problem Essay

use and health, in 2012 about 669,000 Americans had reported using heroin in the last year, and the number of people using heroin has been on a rise since 2007. According to government report and Dr. Harry L. Chen, the Vermont Health Commissioner more Americans die from drug overdoses than car accidents. The use of heroin is affecting the communities we live in. Heroin is on the rise in Vermont as well as here in Charlotte. Heroin doesn’t discriminate, it is possible that it could affect you, someone…

Words 1617 - Pages 7

Teenager Using Heroin Essay

Running Head: HEROIN AND TEENAGERS DRUG ABUSE Garcia 3 Heroin and Teenage[rs] Drug Abuse Teenagers are at risk when it comes to heroin here in Albuquerque, NM. There were two deaths last year in the [h]Heights [d] District due to heroin overdose. One victim was eighteen and the other was nineteen. They [are] were middle class teenagers, with good grades and affiliated with sports. In Albuquerque, heroin use is particularly dangerous for teenagers…

Words 1593 - Pages 7

Drug Abuse During The Vietnam War

Introduction The Vietnam War, which lasted for more than 15 years, has been remembered by many as one of the longest, most violent and controversial wars in American history. This nearly two decade conflict, left many American troops facing unpleasant realities; one of which was drug abuse among U.S. soldiers. With soldier morale decreasing heavily towards the end of the war, effectiveness and willingness of the US troops declined as well. With needs of coping with their surroundings many soldiers…

Words 374 - Pages 2