Heroin Epidemic

"The silent killer," more commonly known as, heroin is becoming an epidemic in the south suburbs of Chicago; many young adults and high school students are using the drug and often times overdose, resulting in death. Heroin is something that is becoming more common the schools, which is why it is important school counselors are educated on the topic and on resources to help students and family members. Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is processed from morphine. Heroin is a depressant which inhibits the central nervous system. Heroin comes from a seedpod of the opium Asian poppy plant. Heroin is classified as an opiate, which is not new. The use of opiates dates back to the Egyptians 6,000 years ago. Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance known as "Black Tar". Heroin may be sold as pure heroin, or it may be "cut". Most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or substances such as; sugar, starch, and powdered milk. Heroin has three routes of administration, injecting, smoking, and snorting. Heroin in high purity is usually snorted or smoked; likely because of the quick rush smoking and snorting heroin produces. Individuals use heroin for a variety of reasons. Common reasons one may choose to use heroin are in order to feel an intense rush, to experience euphoric feelings, or due to the rush of intense pleasure followed by a warm sensation in their skin. The mouth becomes very dry and the limbs become heavy.

While there is no "cookie-cutter" heroin user, a recent study conducted by Roosevelt University's Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy found that middle and upper class teenagers, as well as young adults are beginning to be a key group that uses heroin. However, individuals of all ages and lifestyles have used heroin. According to the DEA, approximately 1.2% of the population reported heroin use at least once in their lifetime. Some signs that are visible during and after heroin consumption include; shortness of breath, dry mouth, constricted pupils, sudden behavior changes, disorientation, cycles of hyper alertness followed by nodding off, and droopy appearance, if all extremities are heavy. A more definitive warning sign of heroin use includes possession of paraphernalia used to prepare, inject or consume heroin. Items may include; needles or syringes that are not being used for other medical purposes, burned silver spoons, aluminum foil or gum wrapper with burn marks, missing shoelaces, straws with burn marks, small plastic bags with white powdery residue, water pipes, or other pipes. Some may find missing shoe laces to be an odd warning sign, however, individuals may use shoelaces to tie their injection site.

Heroin has a number of behavioral signs of heroin use and abuse. Users may lie or have deceptive behavior. It is likely that users will avoid eye contact, or have a distant field of vision. There is a substantial increase in time spent sleeping, there may be increased slurred, garbled, or incoherent speech. Students may display a decrease in performance in school or work related situations. Users may show a decrease in personal hygiene or other areas of activities of daily living. It is common for users to display a loss of interest in activities they at one time for pleasurable, or to distance themselves from family and friends. Users may make regular comments indicating a decrease in self-esteem, wear long pants and sleeves, in order to hide track marks, or repeatedly stealing or borrowing money. Individuals that use heroin also display a number of physical symptoms. Physical symptoms may include; weight loss, runny nose, track marks, infections at injection sites, loss of menstrual cycle for women, cuts bruises or scabs from skin picking, dry mouth, respiratory depression, drowsiness, constricted pupils, nausea, and a warm flushing of the skin. Heroin use has both short-term and long-term effects. Short-term effects of heroin use include; a physical sensation rush, slow shallow breathing, confused poor mental functioning, nausea, vomiting, dulling of pain, and miscarriage. Long-term effects of heroin use include addiction, infectious disease, collapsed