Last updated : November 11, 2024
Heroin is a highly-addictive man made drug first created in 1874 by an English chemist, who synthesized it from morphine to help battle the rising morphine addiction. Morphine was originally used to stop opium addiction.
In 1898, heroin was made available to the public by the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company. At the time it was unknown that heroin was highly addictive, and it was marketed as a cure for morphine addiction. Many people became addicted to the harmful substance, and in 1914 the drug was made available only with a prescription. This didn’t stop people from obtaining it illegally, however. In 1924 the government decided to outlaw heroin completely, hoping this would combat the widespread abuse. For a while this was helpful, until the aftermath of World War II. At this time there was a spike in heroin dependence, with the worst of it lasting from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. Over time it subsided, until once again heavy use went up among men enlisted in the army during the Vietnam War. From the early to mid 1970s use was considered to be at epidemic levels. Again it subsided, and again the addictive and often deadly substance is making a comeback across the country, destroying the lives of suburban youths and adults indiscriminately.
Heroin is a powdered white substance in its pure form, although it is most usually found in colors such as brown, gray, or black. This is because of additives to the drug that affect the purity. It can be smoked, snorted, and injected, all of which are extremely harmful. The short-term side effects include nausea, sleepiness, cloudy mind, and a slowed heart beat. None of these sound all that enjoyable, and only sound worse when you realize an accidental overdose can lead to a coma or death. After a few hours, the user can begin to experience withdrawal, which is extremely uncomfortable. Long term, heroin can destroy your teeth, weaken your immune system, and make your memory less than stable. It can also make horrific sores pop up all over your body. Many people catch incurable diseases from sharing needles with other users.
We are once again approaching an epidemic. Use is going up around the country, and striking people of all ages and all walks of life. Deaths are going up, as well as instances of drug-related violence. Heroin doesn’t just affect people in big cities and ghettos. It could be in your own neighborhood, threatening the safety of the homes around you.
Heroin should not be touched by anyone. Not even once. The risks and side effects far outweigh any possible benefit the substance can give. It’s highly addictive, destroys your body, and destroys your life.
