Heroin is illegal and highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and rapidly acting drug on the streets. Heroin is processed from Morphine, a naturally occurring substance from a seed pod of certain types of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brown tint colored powder or a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is laced with, other drugs or substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be laced with strychnine or other poisons. Heroin abusers don't know the actual strength of the drug or the …show more content…
Treatments tend to be more effective when heroin abuse is identified in the early stage. The treatments vary depending on the individual. NIDA researchers stated that “methadone, a synthetic opiate that blocks the effects of heroin and eliminates withdrawal symptoms, has a proven record of success for people addicted to heroin. Detoxification is to relieve withdrawal symptoms while patients adjust to a drug-free state.” Detoxification is not a treatment for addiction, detoxification is a useful step only when it leads into long-term treatment that is either drug-free and takes about 3-6 months to