Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants.
Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as black stone heroin is cut with other drugs or substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk etc. Typical, in Malta heroin or as it is better know & # 39; smack in paper packets, not more than a finger nail in size, at Lm 10 each. Heroin abusers never know the actual strength of the drug Other problems stemming out of heroin use is the transmission of HIV and other diseases that occurs from sharing needles
How is heroin used?
Heroin is injected, sniffed or smoked. Intraavenous injections providing the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of euphoria, (7 to 8 seconds) while intramuscular injection offer a reliably slow onset euphoria (5 to 8 minutes) Heroin that is sniffed or smoked does not produce a rush and its peak effects are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes
(Adapted from the National Institute of Drug Abuse)
According to NIDA researchers all three forms of heroin administration are addictive. (After Parker, 2002a: 15) after the rush, depressed respiration, cloudy mental functioning, nausea and vomiting and suppression of pain. That is when abusers report a rush. 'Take the best orgasm you' 've ever had. Multiply it by a thousand and you & # 39; re Heroin is particularly addictive as it enters the brain so quickly. & # 39; The # 4 True story. (Parker, 2002b: 15) The long term effects are addiction, infectious diseases for (a, b, a, b, c) example, HI V and hepatitis B and C, collapsed veins, bacterial infections, abscesses, inflammation of heart lining and valves, arthritis and other rheumatologic problems. (Parker, 2002 c: 16)
Addiction is the most detrimental long term effects of chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use and neuro chemical and molecular changes in the brain. Like abusers of all other drugs, heroin users gradually spend more and more The heroin abusers' primary purpose in life have seeking and using the drug.
Junk is not a kick. It is a way of life. & # 39; (Burroughs, 1953a)
Withdrawal Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhoea, vomiting, cold flashes (where the term cold turkey comes from) and This movement may be due to the key features of heroin addiction. But cravings and relapse can occur weeks and months after with withdrawal symptoms are long gone. relief and not the rush bought by the addict.
The Socio - Psychological explanation of its use.
Man is psychologists have come up with the articles to have to not have personality traits, symptoms, and psychodynamic factors that occur in clusters of addicted persons. try to explain addiction.
Stanton et al. (1982) finds about symptom function in families of drug addicts, (heroin):
1. The regressive heroin euphoria, which is characterized by infantile fusion with the mother, permits the addict a symbolic reunification with the mother and family of childhood. The drug & # 39; s blunting effects permit add the addict to feel distant from overwhelming fears of incorporation while maintaining an illusory intrusion. This is true of other depressant drugs.
The addicts chosen life is also a defiant & # 39; quantum leap & # 39; from that of the family.
3. The regressive, sexually equivalent heroin high, and the resultant & lifestyle, prevent the male addict from developing lying and intimate relations with women. In the latter stages of addiction, drug use eradicates the sex drive.
4. "As a result of the first three factors as well as under narcissistic personality, addicts form only pseudo families of procreation." (Kaufman, 1994a: 10)
Milkman and Frosch (1973) found a couple of drugs and experienced a drugs and experienced a preference for one of the two. For those who are choice of drug was heroin suffer from depression and despair, and relived anxiety by withdrawal from Khantazian (1979) as the later work, Milkman and Frosch (1980) emphasized the heroin addicts. rage and aggression. On opiates, they experienced a. of heroin addicts, he also found developmental deficiencies that led to outbursts of rage, poor impulse control and dysphoria. Heroin then modified the threat their violent feelings posed to themselves and others. sensation of total physical relief, which they are described as mellow and calm. (Kaufman, 1994b: 26)
These groups are always very fragile and drug centered. Compulsive users and controlled users rituals The addict & # 39; s addiction & # 39; s bold stance is attractive & # 39; s bold stance is attractive to them.
In the mid 1990 & # 39; sa waif looking, emaciated, drug addicted look was was popular in the fashion Calvin Klein ads featured these looks in 1997. Fashion designers, model Kate Moss and movies such as such as the showaway models showcasing the & # 39; In 1997, Bill Clinton felt he had to voice his as heroin chic fashion provided much controversy. Trainspotting & heroin chic look and life style. President Clinton decried & # 39; fashion photography, for sending a message that using the once feared drug is & glamorous & # 39; or & 39; about US drug policy took noteed addict & # 39; l I was not about art. Clinton continued to say that while cocaine use had declined, heroin use had gone up and he said said David Sorrenti, a fashion photographer, who used these images, died aged 20 of a heroin overdose when Clinton made these these remarks to the press.
Long before this 1997 incident, The first book to be written on heroin was by Thomas De Quincy - Confessions of an Opium Eater in the 18th century. The Beat Generation, mostly William Burroughs , the most famous is "the most famous is" ___ ___ 0, which is autobiographical. Through out the years, we have witnessed many fatal overdoses in the show business, both in the movie world like River Phoenix , a promising young actor and numerous other deaths in music bands.
If we analyze the lyrics of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground in the song with the self explanatory title, "Heroin", we notice that like many authors writing on heroin, it is the center and all of addict & # 39; s life. It's my life & # 39; s my life & # 39;, because of the smack begins to flow, I really do not care anymore & # 39; Many post-Woodstock artists have penned songs on heroin. It's thought and sense of being. . Some songs written about heroin: Neil Young: The Needle and the Damage Done, Rolling Stones: Dead Flowers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Under The Bridge, Velvet Underground: Heroin, Guns N & # 39; Roses: Mr Brownstone, The La & # 39; s: There She Goes, Dandy Warhols: Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth, Wolfsheim: Heroin, Velvet Underground: Waiting for the Man, The Ramones : Chinese Rock, Lou Reed: Perfect Day, Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb, U2: Heroin and The Stranglers: Golden Brown:
"Golden brown texture like sun
lays me down WITH my mind she runs
through the night
No need to fight
never a frown with golden brown "
The Social Correlates and Consequences
In Malta not only trafficking but also possession of illicit drugs is a criminal offense. In 2003 the drug squad made 597 arrests of 528 persons. 74% of these are only for possession These are mostly for heroin and cannabis. (The National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction)
The main drug of use was heroin, with a staggering 81%. (30% of Malta & # 39; s prison population is charged or sent for drugs offsets. 2004 National Report: Malta Drug Situation)
The most common problems are depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and in some some of them are problematic as well as an emotional / psychiatric problem. What develops first? Most times it is the psychiatric problem that develops first, in other episodes drug dependency is the main condition and then may develop into psychiatric conditions.
About 300, from this client population are in substitution treatment, taking methadone for a period of three months or longer. (2004 National Report: Malta Drug Situation)
About 80% of heroin users inject. Syringe data indicating that approximate 220,000 syringes were distributed in 2003. The mean age of treatment clients with a heroin or cocaine problem is with more than five years older than those with a cannabis problem. 2003 meaning in 2003 was 28 years. 86% being male clients . (2004 National Report: Malta Drug Situation)
Heroin clients are the most problematic. 71% are daily users, with 63% injecting. The majority of clients who use detox are heroin users, making up 85%.
Legal Aspect and punishment
The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance control possession and handling in narcotics, including equipment importance and exportation of opium. It covers offs for manufacturing, selling or dealing or usage. including cultivation. Penalties for trafficking are severly especially if it occurs within 100 meters of a school, youth center of if supplied to a minor, pregnant woman or to a person undergoing rehabilitation. (Chapter 101 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance)
The attorney general has a right to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal from any jurisdiction given by the Court of Magistrates in respect of respect. The criminal proceedings arising out of the provisions of this Ordinance. The criminal court hands out from twelve months to ten years plus a fine not exceeding. For selling and dealing, the criminal court may give a life sentence, the only exception being when In this case court may give a sentence ranging from four to thirty years plus a fine between lm1000 and lm 50000. The verdict is not unanimous and when the age of the offender, previous conducts, quantity and nature of drugs or social circumstances for this measure. For possession one may get three to twelve month & # 39; s imprisonmentment or / plus a fine of not more th For selling and dealing one can be confirmed property used for cultivation.
Probation and suspended sentences are only rewarded in the case of possession. In the case of possess. Possession of drugs by foreigners, they are not persecuted if they surrender drugs to customs officials and it is obvious from quantity it was for their own use only.
Heroin addicts that are sentenced to Corradino Correctioal Facility can benefit from the rehabilitation program offered by SATU (Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit) which is at Mtahleb or Caritas which also has a prison inmate program based at Bahar ic - Caghaq. In both cases, prisoners can avail themselves of these services in the last two years of their sentences
Treatment
Treatment has to meet the individual & # 39; s needs. To be effective it has to address the addict & # 39; s drug use which may be linked to medical, social, voluntary or other problems.
(Adapted from NIDA relating drug abuse treatment entitled & # 39; Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A research-based Guide)
Counseling (individual or group) and therapy, patient address issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug using activities with constructive and rewarding non drug using activities and improve problem solving abilities.
Methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethdaol (LAAM) are very effective in helping individuals addicted to heroin to stabilize their lives and reduce their illicit drugs (National Report - Malta Drug Situation 2004) In Malta, the majority of heroin abusing clients are seen at the Detox center, while 29% in community services and 20% in rehabilitation programs. (Parker, 2002d: 168)
There are many types of drugs. There are many types of treatments available. Long term residential treatments, short term residential treatment and medical detoxification When you are experiencing criminal drug abusers and addicts, prison based treatment and communicative treatment. Criminal justice sanctions with drug treatment can be effective in decreasing drug use and related crime.
There is also Oasi in Gozo offering a residential rehabilitation service. Caritas and Sedqa both offer outreach and rehabilitation programs. They also offer for parents and children and counseling for all the family.
