Heroin - Use and Abuse

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug, and fastest action of opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seeds of certain varieties of poppy plants.

Heroin is usually sold as white powder or brown or black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin. " Most street heroin is cut with other drugs or substances such as sugar, starch, milk powder, etc. Typically, in Malta, heroin, or better known as 'smack' is sold in paper packets, no more than a finger nail in size, at Lm10 each. Heroin abusers never know the actual strength of drug and thus are always in danger of overdose or death. Other problems arising from the use of heroin is the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles

How to use heroin?

Heroin is usually injected, sniffed or smoked. heroin addict usually can inject up to four times a day. Intravenous injections provided the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of euphoria, (7 to 8 seconds), and intramuscular injection provides a relatively slow onset of euphoria (5 to 8 minutes) Heroin is sniffed or smoked products do not rush and his peak effects are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes

(Adapted from the National Institute of Drug Abuse)

(Adapted from the National Institute of Drug Abuse)

...

Addiction is the most damaging long-term effects of heroin. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and neuro chemical and molecular changes in the brain. As with abusers of other drugs, heroin users gradually spent more and more time and energy obtaining and using drugs. heroin abusers' primary purpose in life becomes seeking and using drugs.

'junk is not like alcohol or weed, the means for increasing the enjoyment of life. Trash can not kick. It is a way of life. "(Burroughs, 1953)

Physical dependence develops with higher doses of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped abruptly. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bones, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes (where the term comes cold turkey) and leg movements. Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when the phenomenon was thought to be the key features of heroin addiction. But the craving and relapse can occur weeks and months after withdrawal symptoms are long gone. This may be because the patient is in pain just looking for relief, and not rush the search addict.

Socio-psychological explanation of its use.

There is no characteristic personality style that can be called 'addictive personality'. However, there are common traits of personality, symptoms, and psychodynamic factors that occur in clusters of addicted persons. Many psychologists have come up with theories try to explain addiction.

Stanton et al. 's (1982) is a symptom of some functions in families of drug addicts (heroin ):

1.regresivni heroin euphoria, which is characterized by infantile fusion with the mother, an addict permit symbolic reunion with his mother and family since childhood. blunting the effects of the drug addict permission to feel far from an overwhelming fear of the establishment and maintenance of illusory intimacy. This is true for other depression medications.

2 Heroin creates a sense of power and omnipotence that can unleash aggression toward family members, particularly parents. This anger makes an addict to feel autonomous and free temporary family ties. chosen a life of drug addicts is also a defiant 'quantum leap' from one family.

3.regresivni, sexual equivalent of the heroin high, and the resultant 'ripping and running' way of life, prevention of male addicts from developing a lasting and intimate relationships especially with women. In the latter stages of addiction, the drug removes the sexual urge.

4 As a result of the first three factors, as well as the underlying narcissistic personality, drug form only a pseudo-families of birth "(Kaufman, 1994: 10).

Milkman and Frosch (1973) found no difference between heroin and amphetamine abusers who abused the drug and experienced a preference for one of the two. For those whose choice of drug is heroin suffer from depression and despair, and revives anxiety withdrawal from others and suppression of conflict through saturation of the drug. In later work, the milkman and Frosch (1980) emphasizes the heroin addicts have to live with sporadic anger opiates. Khantazian (1979) noted the specific exclusion of the stabilizing effects of drugs to anger and aggression. In a study of 200 heroin addicts, he also found developmental defects that led to outbursts of rage, poor impulse control and Dysphoria. Heroin then moderated a threat to their violent feelings have set myself and others. For opiates, they experienced a sense of total physical relief, which are described as mature and calm. (Kaufman, 1994b: 26)

Heroin users tend to belong to the culture Sat. Both heavy heroin user and controlled heroin users are bound together in small isolated groups which developed distinctive, rigid rituals and social sanctions. These groups are still very fragile and drugs at the center. Compulsive users and users of controlled rituals are usually the same. In both groups, people argue over who gets off first, belts serve as links and so on. addict is a sad ritual is an expression of identification and outlaw the courageous attitude is attractive to them.

of the media, movies, music and the stars have in recent decades to put the spotlight on heroin use in some way adds to its charm. In mid-1990-tramp looking, skinny, drug addicted look was popular in the fashion world. Pale skin, dark circles under the eyes and protruding bones were seen on models showcasing ran 'heroin chic' look. Calvin Klein ads featured the appearance in 1997. Fashion designers, model Kate Moss and films such as' Trainspotting'i 'Pulp Fiction' are blamed for glamorizing heroin chic look and lifestyle. heroin chic fashion provides much controversy. In 1997, Bill Clinton felt he had to voice their opinion about it. President Clinton decried "heroin chic" fashion photography, to send messages that are used when the paint cure 'glamurozan'ili' sexy '. Clinton spoke about the American drug policy took into account the recent recognition that the magazine editors 'wasted addicts' look in some ways it seems had glamorized heroin use. He continued to say that the glorification of heroin is not a creative rather than destructive. It was not about art. Clinton continues to say that, while cocaine has declined, heroin use had gone up and he said that part of the reason was 'images that are finding their way to the young people'. David Sorrenti, a fashion photographer, who use these paintings, has died at age 20 from a heroin overdose when Clinton made ​​these remarks to reporters.

long before this incident in 1997, heroin was the main protagonist of articles, books and death. The first book will be written on the heroin was Thomas de Quincy - Opium Eater Confessions of the 18th century. Beat Generation, mainly William Burroughs wrote a very important book on the subject. The most famous is 'Junky', which is autobiographical. Through the years we have witnessed many cases of fatal overdoses in show business, as in the film world as River Phoenix, a promising young actor, and a number of other deaths in the music bands.

If we analyze the text of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground in the song with a self explanatory title, "Heroin", we note that like many authors who have written on heroin, it is the center, and all the junkie life. "It was my wife and it's my life ',' because when you smack begins to flow I really do not care more 'calming effect and pain relief products to their heroin users is crystal clear in these texts, by way affects the brain and blood and an immense impact on the people think and feel. Many post-Woodstock artists have written songs for heroin. Some of the poems written by heroin: Neil Young: Needle and damages, the Rolling Stones: Dead Flowers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Under the bridge, Velvet Underground: Heroin, Guns N 'Roses: Mr Brownstone, La's: There she goes, Dandy Warhols: Not if you were Last Junkie On Earth, Wolfsheim: Heroin, Velvet Underground: Waiting for the Man, Ramones: Chinese Rock, Lou Reed: Perfect Day Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb, U2: Heroin and the Stranglers: Golden Brown:

"golden brown texture like Sun
provides me with my mind she runs
throughout the night

I do not need to fight
Never a frown with golden brown "

Social Correlates and Consequences

in Malta, not only trade but also the possession of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. All drug users, because having run a risk of criminal charges. In 2003 the drug squad of 597 arrests of 528 people. 74% of them were for possession only, while 22% where the possession and trafficking. These were mostly for heroin and cannabis. (National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction)

30% of Malta's prison population has been charged with or convicted of criminal drug law. All inmates are tested for drugs on admission. 50% positive for drugs. main drug was heroin use, with a whopping 81%. (2004 National Report: Malta situation with regard to drugs)

Most heroin users suffer from dual diagnosis, where a person has a drug problem, and emotional / psychiatric problems. To fully recover, the person who needs treatment for both problems. The most common problems of the depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and in some cases even the occurrence of schizophrenia and personality disorders. What develops first? Most times it is a psychiatric problem develops first, in other episodes of drug addiction is a major requirement, then it can develop into a psychiatric condition.

In 2003, there were about 1,200 people with heroin problems in the treatment-1000 to these problems are the users based on criteria daily heroin use. About 700 of this client population in the replacement therapy, taking methadone for a period of three months or longer. (2004 National Report: Malta situation with regard to drugs)

National Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction believe that there are about 350 unidentified intravenous drug users. About 80% of heroin users inject. Syringe data indicate that around 220,000 syringes were distributed in 2003. The average age of the treatment of clients with heroin or cocaine problem is usually around five years older than those with a cannabis problem. Data from heroin clients treated for the first time in 2003 showed that they started taking heroin at around 19 The median age in 2003 was 28 years. 86% were male clients. (2004 National Report: Malta situation with regard to drugs)

Heroin clients are the most problematic. 71% were daily users, with 63% injection. Most customers who use the detox heroin users, who make up 85 %.

legal aspects of the sentence

Dangerous Drugs Ordinance controls the possession and dealing in narcotics, including equipment or materials used to manufacture drugs. Part II of the Act prohibits the import and export of opium. It includes work in manufacturing, selling or dealing or usage. The law also specifies that deal to include cultivation. Penalties for trafficking are severe, especially if it occurs within 100 meters of schools, youth center, if delivered less, pregnant women or people undergoing rehabilitation. (Chapter 101 Dangerous Drugs Ordinance)

The penalty is specified in the said ordinance. Magistrates' Court has jurisdiction to try all offenses against the Ordinance. lawyer has the right to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal from any verdict by the judges of the Court in respect of criminal proceedings arising from the provisions of this Ordinance. Criminal Court hands of twelve months to ten years plus a fine not exceeding Lm10000 possession. For sales and dealing, a criminal court can make a life sentence, the only exception being when the verdict was not unanimous, and when at the age of the offender, carried out the previous, the quantity and nature of drug use or social circumstances to ask for these measures. In this case, the court may give a sentence in the range four to thirty years plus a fine ranging from lm1000 and lm50000. When a case is tried in the Magistrates Court, the penalty is less severe. For owning one to get May's three to twelve months imprisonment and / or plus a fine of not more than Lm1000. For sales and dealing can be sentenced from six months to ten years plus a fine of Lm200 and Lm5000. For the crime of trafficking is life imprisonment plus confiscation of property. In the case of growing the court may seize property used for farming.

penalty is increased if people / sales occurred in the vicinity of schools or involved minors or pregnant women. Probation and conditional sentences are only awarded in cases of possession. In the case of drug possession foreigners, they are not pursued if it is given drugs to customs officers and it is obvious from the amount for personal use.

of heroin addicts who were sentenced to Corradino Correctioal Facility can benefit from the rehabilitation program offers hour (Dependence Treatment Unit), which is Mtahleb or Caritas, which also has a program of prison inmates is based on Bahar IC - Caghaq. In both cases, prisoners can be used alone these services in the last two years of his sentence

treatment of

There is no specific treatment available for all drug addicts. It is important to match treatment to each individual's particular problems and mood swings. Treatment is to meet individual needs. To be effective is to address a drug addict is a drug that may be associated with medical, social, vocational, or other problems.

(Taken from Nida regarding drug abuse treatment, entitled "Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: Research based on the Guide)

counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment of addiction. In therapy, patients address issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug using activities with constructive and rewarding activities without using drugs and improve problem-solving abilities.

Medications are also an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies. Methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethdaol (LAAM) are very effective in helping individuals addicted to heroin to stabilize their lives and reduce their illicit drug use. (Parker, 2002d: 168) in Malta, the majority of heroin abuse clients were seen at the detox center, while 29% of community service and 20% in rehabilitation programs. (National Report Malta-related situations with drugs 2004)

Medical detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself not a little to change long-term drug use. There are many types of treatments available. There are patient drug free treatment, long-term residential treatment, short-term residential treatment and medical detoxification. When is the criminal treatment of drug addicts and there are two effective ways, based on prison treatment and community treatment. Research has shown that combining criminal justice sanctions with drug treatment can be effective in reducing drug use and related crime.

in Malta, Caritas and Sedqa offer almost identical services for heroin addicts. There is also Oasi in Gozo offers housing rehabilitation services. Caritas and Sedqa both offer outreach and rehabilitation programs. They also offer information for parents and children and counseling for the whole family.