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Heroin

Heroin or diacetylmorphine (INN) is a semi-synthetic opioid. It is the 3,6-diacetyl derivative of morphine (hence diacetylmorphine) and is synthesised from it by acetylation. The white crystalline form is commonly the hydrochloride salt, diacetylmorphine hydrochloride. It is highly addictive when compared to other substances, although occasional use without symptoms of withdrawal has been noted. Heroin is controlled under Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. more...

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It is not legal to manufacture, possess, or sell heroin in the United States, but diamorphine (heroin) is a legal prescription drug in the United Kingdom. A few of the popular street names for heroin include dope, junk, smack and H.

History

Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 by C.R. Alder Wright, a British chemist working at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London. He had been experimenting with combining morphine with various acids. He boiled anhydrous morphine alkaloid with acetic anhydride over a stove for several hours and produced a more potent, acetylated form of morphine. We now call it diacetylmorphine. The compound was sent to F.M. Pierce of Owens College, Manchester, for analysis. He reported the following to Wright:

Doses … were subcutaneously injected into young dogs and rabbits … with the following general results … great prostration, fear, and sleepiness speedily following the administration, the eyes being sensitive, and pupils dilated, considerable salivation being produced in dogs, and slight tendency to vomiting in some cases, but no actual emesis. Respiration was at first quickened, but subsequently reduced, and the heart's action was diminished, and rendered irregular. Marked want of coordinating power over the muscular movements, and loss of power in the pelvis and hind limbs, together with a diminution of temperature in the rectum of about 4°(rectal failure)

Heinrich Dreser, of Bayer in Elberfeld, Germany, noticed that diacetylmorphine was more potent than morphine. Bayer registered Heroin (meaning 'heroic treatment' from the German word heroisch) as a trademark. From 1898 through to 1910 it was marketed as a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough medicine for children. As with Aspirin, Bayer lost some of its trademark rights to Heroin following World War I.

In 1914 the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act made it illegal to manufacture or possess heroin in the United States.

Usage and effects

In the United States, heroin is a Schedule I drug and is illegal for any purpose. In the United Kingdom heroin is available on prescription, though it is a restricted Class A drug. According to the British National Formulary edition 50, diamorphine hydrochloride may be used in the treatment of acute pain, myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary oedema, and chronic pain. The treatment of chronic non-malignant pain must be supervised by a specialist. The BNF notes that all opioid analgesics cause dependence and tolerance but that this is "no deterrent in the control of pain in terminal illness". When used in the palliative care of cancer patients, heroin is often injected using a syringe driver. In comparison to morphine, it may cause less nausea and hypotension and can be dissolved in a smaller quantity of liquid.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Suspected heroin smuggler arrested at Kuwait International Airport
From Airline Industry Information, 8/15/05

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

A man of Pakistani origin has been arrested by police at Kuwait International Airport after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of heroin being smuggled into the country in plastic capsules woven into carpets.

According to Kuwaiti authorities it is likely that the drugs were part of an operation designed to fund terrorism. Ahmad Lali, 23, a resident of Kuwait, was arrested on Saturday (13 August) when he went to pick up the carpets from the airport's cargo terminal.

The haul was reportedly one of the largest in the Middle East, although the authorities have given no indication as to the weight or the value of the heroin, said Reuters.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))

COPYRIGHT 2005 Ingram Investment Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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