Heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine, which is extracted from opium poppy plants. It has a chemical structure and effect similar to endorphins, which produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. This makes heroin highly addictive. The two major regions of opium and heroin production are the Golden Crescent in Central Asia and the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia. Heroin use has been increasing, with approximately 13.5 million people worldwide using opioids including 9.2 million using heroin.

2.  Heroin is opioid.
Which means it
affects the opioid
receptors located in
the central nervous
system
 Its molecular formula
is C21H23NO5.

3.  The chemical name of Heroin is
diacetylmorphine because it has to
acetyl groups.
 Heroin is an alkaloid, it has a six sided
carbon ring with single and double
bonds.

4.  Heroin comes from opium ,which is found in the opium
poppy.
 Heroin is created from morphine. The morphine is extracted
from the opium and then it is broken down into Heroin.
 Morphine and Heroin are extremely similar. Heroin is classified
as a semi-synthetic opioid because it comes from morphine.
 Heroin has two acetyl groups while morphine has none.
Morphine is considered water soluble while Heroin is more fat
soluble. Heroin is also twice as potent as morphine.

5.  Opium is a very popular
drug throughout Asia.
 There are two main Heroin
growing regions in the
world ,both are in Asia.
There names are “The
Golden Crescent” and
“The Golden Triangle”.
 Opium has been abused
for thousands of years.

6.  There are traces of
morphine in poppy seed
muffin. If eaten before a
drug test it will appear to
be Heroin in your system.
 There has been a rapid
increase of Heroin use in
Tennessee, especially in
East Tennessee.
 Approximately 13.5
million people in the
world take opioids,
including 9.2 million who
use heroin.

7.  In are brains there are chemicals called endorphins. These
are “feel good” chemicals that affect the brain when we are
stressed or in pain.
 They are called natural opiates. Morphine is very similar to
these endorphins.
 Morphine and Heroin have the similar affects on the body as
endorphins. They recreate the feeling of relaxation and
euphoria. This is why Heroin is so addicting.

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1995: 4-6. Print.
Gottfried, Sandra S. "Horses and Heroin." Chem
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"Heroin in the Brain." Pbs.org. PBS, n.d. Web. 10 Apr.
2013.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/h
eroin/brain/>.
Thomas, J., ed. "Tennessee Authorities Expect Surge in
Heroin Use." Discovery Place. Discovery, 22 Sept. 2011.
Web. 28 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.discoveryplace.info/tennessee-
authorities-expect-surge-heroin-use>.