Heroin is an illegal substance that is extracted from the opium poppy. It is in the same family of drugs as the pain killing medication morphine.

WHAT

Heroin is an illegal substance that is extracted from the opium poppy. It is in the same family of drugs as the pain killing medication morphine.

OTHER NAMES

Smack, skag, H, dope, junk, hammer, slow, gear, Harry, big Harry, horse, black tar, china white, Chinese H, white dynamite, dragon, elephant, homebake, poison.

SIGNS THAT SOMEONE MIGHT BE USING OR DEALING IN MY HOUSE?

Heroin comes in forms from a fine, white powder through to off-white granules or pieces of brown rock. It is odourless with a bitter taste. It commonly comes wrapped in aluminium foil, known as ‘foils’, and/or small, coloured balloons. Other things to look out for are injecting paraphernalia such as tourniquets, alcohol swabs, fine orange capped needles, and spoons bent so that they sit flat on a level surface.

HOW COMMON IS USAGE?

In 2010, a little over 1 in 100 Australians had used heroin. Due to decreased availability and an increase in the availability of other drugs, heroin is losing popularity amongst young people accessing drug and alcohol treatment services.

HOW CAN I TELL IF A YOUNG PERSON IS USING? 

A young person affected by heroin will typically appear sleepy, with slowed movements and poor co-ordination. They may also appear to be itchy, scratching their arms and body. Their eyes may appear glassy with pupils smaller than usual. In the instance of an overdose, a young person will be unresponsive with bluish lips and slowed breathing. In this instance, ‘000’ should be called immediately.