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» Opiates

Opiate drugs are also referred to as narcotic drugs. These include opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, and various opium derivatives, in addition to synthetic substances with similar pharmaceutical properties, such as Demerol and Darvon. Opium is derived from a particular type of poppy. The main active ingredient is morphine alkaloid, and this is widely used in medical fields because it is an effective painkiller. In addition to blocking pain perception, the drug's impact on the central nervous system includes an intense sense of well-being, a sense of calm, drowsiness, clouded mental functioning and deep sleep. Opium and narcotics also depress respiration and this effect is noticeable with even small doses. Death by overdose is most frequently the result of respiratory arrest.

The incidence of opium and heroin use has increased substantially over the last five years. Nationally there has been a 64% increase in the last five years of emergency room admissions that involve heroin. Clearly local news reports in the state of Vermont indicate that heroin is now a drug which is used by many people in the state, and a growing number of people in the state have become addicted. This increase in popularity appears to be especially among young people, including college students. There is now an inexpensive high purity heroin that is available and is often being marketed as opium that can be sniffed or smoked instead of injected.

Students who are abusing opiates or heroin may display:

  • Euphoria
  • A sense of well-being or calm
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Lethargy
  • Headache
  • Mental clouding
  • Warm flushing of the skin
  • Dry mouth
  • Heavy feeling of limbs
  • Suppression of pain

Some people will have a reversed effect, sometimes referred to as an idiosyncratic effect, including excitement, restlessness, tremors, delirium and insomnia. Often time people who use opiates will experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Also, there is usually a change in heart rate and blood pressure. Skin rash and change in body temperature are also side effects that can occur with opium or narcotic use.

Signs of overdose include:

  • Slow and shallow breathing
  • Clammy skin
  • Convulsions
  • Coma
  • Death

In any form, opiates are addictive. The use of opium on the brain creates marked structural differences. Tolerance to opiates can develop quite rapidly and even clinical dosages of opiates in an individual can be increased very quickly as a result of tolerance.

Withdrawal symptoms from opiates include:

  • Feelings of depression
  • Nausea
  • Repeated yawning
  • Sweating
  • Tearing
  • Runny nose
  • Intense cravings for the drug
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Insomnia
  • Cold flashes
  • Jerking movement of legs

In addition, shooting heroin is fraught with a variety of additional issues, including the injecting of bacteria and other viruses into the body which puts people at risk for hepatitis exposure, and also HIV exposure through sharing needles.

 
 
 

Last Updated 1/25/07