Heroin

Heroin is used by less than 1% of the Australian population, but it is the fourth most common drug of concern for young people wanting support from alcohol and other drug services. Heroin is an illegal depressant.

Heroin is also known as smack, skag, H, dope, junk, hammer, slow, gear, Harry, horse, dragon, poison. In Victoria heroin usually comes as small white or off white rocks or powder but can also come in a much darker brown colour. Heroin is most commonly injected or smoked, which is sometimes called ‘chasing the dragon’.

The effects of heroin include: feelings of warmth, wellbeing, relaxation and sleepiness as well as itching, sweating and impaired concentration. Heroin can also cause dizziness and vomiting. The high usually lasts between three and five hours.

An overdose of heroin can result in shallow breathing, extremely small ‘pinned’ pupils and not being able to be woken.  Call an ambulance if any of these symptoms occur.

If you use heroin it is important to know how to be as safe as possible:

• Smoke instead of injecting

• Use safe injecting practices

• Avoid mixing with other drugs, especially depressants. Most heroin overdoses also involve other drugs like alcohol or benzos

• Use with someone, don’t use alone

• Know your dealer and ask about strength and purity

• Learn about Naloxone (also known as Narcan), which can reverse an overdose

• Call an ambulance if you think someone has overdosed

See the Australian Drug Foundation for more drug facts