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Tips for Teens: The Truth About HeroinSlang--Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown Sugar, Junk, Black Tar, Big H, Dope, Skag
Heroin affects your brain. Heroin enters the brain quickly. It slows down the way you think, slows down reaction time, and slows down memory. This affects the way you act and make decisions. Heroin affects your body. Heroin poses special problems for those who inject it because of the risks of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles. These health problems can be passed on to sexual partners and newborns.1 Heroin is super-addictive. Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly. It particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence. Heroin is not what it may seem. Despite the glamorization of "heroin chic" in films, fashion, and music, heroin use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users. Fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence, and crime are all linked to its use. Heroin can kill you Heroin is one of the top three frequently reported drugs by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.2
Know the law. Heroin is an illegal Schedule I drug, meaning that it is in the group of the most highly addictive drugs. Get the facts. In the 1990's, hospital emergency department episodes involving heroin nearly quadrupled among youths ages 12-17.3 Stay informed. The untimely deaths of several popular musicians and other celebrities may have influenced many young people to stay away from heroin use, but to others, the dangers are still not clear. The average age of first use was 21.3 in 1998.4 Know the risks. Because the strength of heroin varies and its impact is more unpredictable when used with alcohol or other drugs, the user never knows what might happen with the next dose. Look around you. The vast majority of teens are not using heroin. According to a 1999 national study, only 2 percent report ever having tried it.
How can you tell if a friend is using heroin? Signs and symptoms of heroin use are:
Signs of a heroin overdose include:
What can you do to help a friend who is using heroin? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686.
Q.Isn't heroin a less dangerous drug if you snort or smoke it
instead of injecting it? Q. Can withdrawal from heroin kill you? Q. Will heroin use alter my brain?
To learn more about heroin or obtain referrals to programs in your community, contact: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at http://www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug Control Policy Web site at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov. The bottom line: If you know someone who uses heroin, urge him or her to stop or get help. If you use heroin--stop! The longer you ignore the real facts, the more chances you take with your life. It's never too late. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a teacher, or another adult you trust. Do it today! For footnote references, see our Web site at www.health.org
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