The history of heroin dates back to 1805 when a German pharmacist, Frederick W. Serturner found morphine from opium which was 10 times stronger than opium. Later, in 1874, a British chemist, C.R. Alder Wright was looking for another way to refine the drug that would not be as addictive and was able to come up with Heroin. It wasn't until 25 years later that the drug was promoted by an employee of Bayer and Company for coughs, chest pain, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
Shortly after the turn of the century many people were discovering and using these drugs. People liked it because the heroin effects are brought on quickly and dramatically, providing an instant rush, gratification, and euphoria. It is estimated that around one million people abused opium, morphine and heroin around this time.
In 1853 the hypodermic needle was developed and people found if they injected the drug just under the skin it gave greater effects. It wasn't long before they realized if they inject it directly into the blood stream the effects are even quicker.
It only takes 15-30 seconds for the central nervous system to react to opiates injected into the bloodstream. If injected just under the skin it can take about 5-8 minutes, this method is referred to as "skin popping" or "muscling".
Europeans introduced "sniffing" or "snorting" heroin which is when it is inhaled through the nose, this method also takes about 5-8 minutes to take effect. By the 1920's about half of the heroin addicts were "shooters" and the other half "sniffers".
Current estimates show that over 3 million Americas have experimented with heroin and there are somewhere between 150,000 and 800,000 heroin abusers, however Americans use only about 3% of the world's supply. Most of the heroin in the United States comes from Mexico and Colombia.
Heroin is produced in Southwest Asia, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The heroin that comes from Pakistan can be as much as 90% pure and is often referred to as "Persian brown". The heroin coming from Asia can be up to 99% pure and is known as "China White". Mexico's heroin is very potent but only 40-80% pure and is often called "black tar", and is less expensive, costing about $20-$25 for a small piece.
Tar Heroin is sold as a gummy paste resembling tar rather than in powder form. It can be dissolved easily in water and typically smoked. There are many street names for heroin including: H, Smack, Junk, Horse, Fix, Dope, Brown, Dog, Nod, China White, Black Tar, Al Capone, Antifreeze, Big doodig, China cat, Hard candy, Witch hazel, and Tootsie roll.
If you or someone you love is experimenting or abusing heroin get help now. It is a very powerful drug and you may become addicted in the first use. There are many rehab centers that specialize in heroin treatment.
