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Heroin Facts

According to the National Household Survey for 1994, 2.2 million Americans have tried heroin; 191,000 had used it in the previous 30 days.
Short-term effects of heroin include: warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, slurred speech, constricted pupils and droopy eyelids, as well as itchy skin.
Heroin accounts for the majority of the illicit opiate abuse in America.
Intravenous injection of heroin provides the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of euphoria (7 to 8 seconds), while intramuscular injection of heroin produces a relatively slow onset of euphoria (5 to 8 minutes).

Heroin Overdose

Heroin Overdose Heroin works on the central nervous system. The abusers heartbeat slows as well as their breathing. They may loose consciousness. Any of these effects can be fatal if the dose is too high. Depending on purity and the user, a lethal dose of heroin may range from 200 to 500mg, but hardened addicts have survived doses of 1800mg and over. However, with street heroin there is no absolutely certain "safe dosage". It depends on tolerance, amount and purity taken. Overdose can occur when a dose taken is greater than that you're used to. A tolerable dose for an addict could be fatal to a first-time user. Tolerance to heroin in particular is quickly acquired. Even occasional weekend users need to take more to get the same effect over time. Tolerance can drop. Some users have overdosed on their 'regular dose', after just a few week's break.