October 25, 2005
FEATURESOverabundant supplies make Valley heroin more accessible
It goes by many names, smack, thunder, scag, hell dust, but no matter what you call it, heroin is a dangerous drug.
Because of Arizona’s close border with Mexico, Mexican heroin or “black tar” is easily available to Arizona residents. Although most heroin smuggled into the valley comes from Mexico, South American and Asian heroin still hold their place in the market.
Last year the DEA seized over 88.9 kilograms of heroin. Despite police efforts and the numerous seizes, heroin prices in the Phoenix metropolitan area have dropped more than 40 percent due to overly abundant supplies.
Now that the drug has become easily accessible and more affordable, more young people are willing to try heroin.
“There are many different reasons people do drugs - peer pressure, broken families, or just a way to escape from emotions,” said Jack Peterson, a sociology professor at MCC, said.
Often, users are drawn to the drug because of its instant high. Effects are usually felt seven to eight seconds after the heroin is injected or snorted.
Like other opioids (opium based drugs), heroin prompts the brain to release endorphins, which are responsible for quick feelings of pleasure. After it is introduced into the body, the user stops feeling pain and is overcome with a feeling of euphoria.
The high, on average, only lasts for three to four hours.
Because the euphoric rush only lasts for a few hours, users often feel the need to re-dose when they are coming down to have a greater escape from reality.
“After finding out what heroin does to a body, I don’t know why anyone would use it. There are better ways to deal with stress,” Alan Young, nursing student, said.
When the high is over the user will experience a depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems, nausea and have constricted pupils.
Unlike some other popular drugs such as marijuana and muscle relaxants, heroin is highly addictive and most users gain a physical dependency.
Withdrawals usually peak 24 to 48 hours after the drug’s effect has worn off and usually subside after a week. In some cases, users noticed physical withdrawals that lasted for a month. Symptoms of withdrawals include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, as well as cold flashes with goose bumps, and leg movements.
There are many treatments available to help people with heroin addictions. One of the most successful is methadone.
Heroin works by releasing an excess of dopamine, which is a chemical naturally produced in the body. Dopamine is supplied to the body’s sympathetic nervous system causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The rush of dopamine can feel so good that it causes the user to crave heroin constantly.
Methadone occupies the opiate receptor (a protein in the brain that controls the intake of natural pain killing chemicals) in the body and stabilizes the need for more heroin. Taken orally, once daily, a methadone pill can suppress cravings for 24 to 36 hours.
Despite the success stories of many former users, 90 percent of heroin users who get clean are bound to relapse.
“When I was in rehab for Crystal Meth, I noticed almost all of the people in there were heroin addicts. Most of them were back for their third or fourth time,” said Caitlin, (whose last name is withheld by request).
For general information regarding substance abuse, contact Meadow Treatment Center at (800) 632-3697.