to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Drug Info
    • Paraphernalia
  • Drugs & Your Family
    • Accidental Exposure: Drugs and Young Children
    • Medications in Your Home
    • Signs of Drug Use
    • Social Media: Understanding a Teen's World
    • Talking to Your Child When You Suspect Drug Use
    • True Stories
    • Using Over-the-Counter Medication Safely
    • What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates/ Honey Butane Oil
    • What’s Happening in Your Child’s School
    • Why do Teens Use Drugs?
  • News & Media
    • Latest News
    • Emerging Drug Trends
    • Tracking Drug Use and Other Drug-Related Statistics
  • Consequences
    • Drugged Driving—What You Should Know
    • Federal Student Aid and Consequences of a Drug Conviction
    • How Do Drug Overdoses Happen?
    • How Drugs Alter Brain Development and Affect Teens
    • School Failure
    • State and Federal Drug Laws
    • Treatment and Recovery
    • True Stories
    • VIDEO: Taking Prescription Drugs to Get High—A Bad Idea
  • Get Involved
    • DEA Museum
    • DEA Red Ribbon Week Patch Program
    • Get Involved in a Community Anti-Drug Coalition
    • National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
    • National Recovery Month 2021
    • Operation Prevention
    • Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 23-31
    • Upcoming DEA 360 Events
  • Search
  • Menu
Home
  • English
  • Spanish
  • DEA Publications
  • Get Updates
  • Find Help
  • Menu

Main Menu

  • Drug Info
  • Drugs & Your Family
  • News & Media
  • Consequences
  • Get Involved
  • Search
  • Menu

Be Informed. Search for information about a drug.

OR

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Drug Index
  3. Heroin

Heroin

LAST UPDATED: Monday November 7, 2022

Heroin

What is it?

An opiate (narcotic) drug processed from morphine and extracted from certain poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Often “cut” with other drugs or substances such as sugar or powdered milk. User is unaware how much actual heroin is being used, creating likelihood of overdose.

Street Names

Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Negra, Smack, Thunder


How is it used?

Injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. High purity heroin is usually snorted or smoked.

Paraphernalia

Cooking heroin on spoon

Small spoon

Needle

Needle

Rolled up dollar bill used as straw

Straw or tube

Pipe

Pipe

How does it affect the body?

  • Highly addictive.
  • Initial surge of euphoria or “rush,” followed by a twilight state of sleep and wakefulness
  • Physical symptoms of use include: drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea, a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy extremities.
  • Overdose symptoms: slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and possible death.

Read More About Heroin

Featured Articles
Beware illicit fentanyl
Illicit Fentanyl PSA
Woman uses a phone
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Transitions to 988
Wyatt Williamson
Wyatt's Story
one pill can kill logo
One Pill Can Kill

Footer

  • About this site
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Useful links
    • DEA Publications
    • Drugs & Paraphernalia
    • Find Help
    • Just Think Twice
    • Campus Drug Prevention
  • About DEA
    • Accessibility
    • DEA: Who We Are
    • FOIA
    • U.S. Department of Justice
    • Legal Policies and Disclaimers
    • USA.gov
Home
This is a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website. The inclusion of a link on this website does not constitute an official endorsement, guarantee, or approval by DEA.