Drugs

Heroin (full name Diamorphine)

Also known as: Smack, H, Junk, Gear, Skag, Dope and many others.

What is heroin?

Heroin is a drug deriving from the opium poppy. It can be brown (when impure) or white (pure) in colour and is most commonly available in a powdered form. Heroin is either smoked, snorted or injected.

What are the effects?

Heroin has strong painkilling effects by reducing brain activity alongside other functions of the central nervous system. Users of heroin feel a rush soon after consuming the drug, which can lead to drowsiness in more extreme cases.

What are the risks?

The risks of using heroin include, but are not limited to, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle cramps and insomnia. Users who take moderate doses may find their breathing slowing significantly, and in some cases stopping altogether. Users who inject heroin are at a risk of terminal diseases, infections and overdosing that could lead to death. Using heroine through injection means a high risk of infecting with HIV virus.

Withdrawal symptoms can include flu-like symptoms, chills, sweats, respiratory problems and increased blood pressure.

Pregnant women who use heroin risk having low weight babies, who must too experience withdrawal symptoms. They are also at a higher risk of having sudden death syndrome.

What does the UK law state about heroin?

Heroin is a Class A drug which is illegal to possess or supply. Possession of heroin can result in a seven year prison sentence, and a fine. Trafficking of heroin can lead to life imprisonment, plus a fine.

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Ecstasy/MDMA (full name Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

Also known as: Disco biscuits, E, Diamonds, Doves, Fantasy, XTC etc.

What is ecstasy?

Ecstasy belongs to the group of hallucinogens and dissociative drugs, thus drugs which have effect on the sensory perceptions and also affect the thought process. However it does not cause hallucinations It is a 'club drug' popular with clubbers, because its users have plenty of energy after taking it. Some say it could be described as a combination of LSD and Speed.
Ecstasy is most often swallowed as a tablet or capsule (could be in various colours). However, ecstasy is occasionally snorted, smoked or injected.

What are the effects?

It may take up to 1 hour for the first effects to arrive. Main effects experienced when taking ecstasy are feeling very energetic, confident, calm, loving (such feelings can last for up to 6 hours). On the other side, some described feeling anxious, depressed, and paranoid.

What are the risks?

Ecstasy raises the blood pressure and the heart rate and also causes higher temperature of the body. Major risk is a heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke can include -headache, failure to sweat, sickness, and dizziness. In some cases even the loss of consciousness. Some of the risks of the long-term regular usage are eg. : lethargy even depression, psychological dependence, paranoia etc.

What does the UK law state about ecstasy?

Like heroin, ecstasy is a Class A drug. It is illegal to produce, possess and/or supply.

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