Opiates are substances derived from the opium plant or similar synthetics that are used medicinally as painkillers but also have high potential for abuse. While opiates are useful for medical purposes like pain relief after surgery, recreational use and addiction can lead to dependence and negative health effects. Long-term opiate abuse increases risks of overdose, disease transmission from shared needles, and weakening of the immune system. Though opiates have a long history of medical usage, problems arose when their potency increased without understanding of dangers, leading to widespread abuse and addiction issues today.

1. DANGERS OF OPIATE
Mark Varner

2. WHAT IS A OPIATE?
An opioid is a substance derived from the Opium plant or
similar to it. This includes synthetically created medicines,
such as Oxycodone.

3. WHAT ARE THEIR
EFFECTS?
Opiates cause reduction of pain, sedation, reduction of
anxiety, and euphoria.

4. DOESN'T SEEM TOO BAD, WHY IS
THERE SUCH A NEGATIVE
CONNOTATION WITH OPIATES THEN?
Opiates are incredibly useful in medicinal purposes, such as
when used as pain killers for operation or for pain relief.
Morphine and Heroin are used as analgesics, and Oxycontin
and Percocets are often used as prescription painkillers.
Much of the bad rep from Opiates stems from illegal or
recreational use.

5. ILLEGAL USE? I THOUGHT
THESE WERE HELPFUL ?
Opiates are, when prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
Unfortunately, people often use these helpful drugs for the
euphoria they cause. They also have a high potential for
abuse, which is why they are illegal. Heroin is schedule 1 in
illegality, which means according the U.S. Government, they
have a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical
purposes.

6. HAVE THEY ALWAYS
BEEN ILLEGAL?
No, Opium has long been used as a painkiller and anti-
depressants by the Greeks, Romans and other civilizations.
Problems arised when British scientists increased the
potency of the substance, and production increased.
Knowing little about the dangers of the substance, it was
used widespread, even with kids. Widespread use in China
caused them to try and ban opium. Britain fought the 2
wars, known as the opium wars, to force them to allow
opium sales in China.

7. HUH, THATS WEIRD. SO IT
REALLY CAN BE DANGEROUS?
Yes, infact, opiate abuse is still very prevalent in American
society and all around the world

8. I KNOW YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE GOOD
EFFECTS AND THE ABUSE POTENTIAL, BUT
WHAT ARE THE LONG -TERM EFFECTS OF
OPIATE ADDICTION?
Opiate addiction causes a dependence on the drug, making it
almost impossible to function while off it. The increases
crime rates, as addicts try to get enough money to pay for
more of the drug. Long opiate use can also weaken the
immune system.

9. PEOPLE OFTEN INJECT HEROIN AND OTHER
OPIATES FOR STRONGER EFFECTS. WHAT
KIND OF PROBLEMS DOES THAT CREATE?
It does indeed. When you directly inject too much opiates
into your blood stream, it is significantly higher that you
have an overdose and die from too much of the drug.
Frequent use of needle can also increase the chances of
people catching HIV, if the needles were not new.

10. WOW, THAT SOUNDS AWFUL. I
NEVER WANT TO USE OPIATES
Well, don’t say that. Opiates are still a very valuable
medicine. Just remember to only use them when prescribed
by a doctor.

11. CITATIONS
http://www.livestrong.com/article/72769-longterm-effects-opiate-use/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/jun/24/drugs-trade-
drugs#zoomed-picture
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/oxycodone/oxycodone_effects.shtml
http://opiates.net/
http://s4.hubimg.com/u/2112539_f260.jpg
http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PSO1562.jpg
http://www.onlinedegrees.org/pics/judge-1.jpg