(7) Morphine may be given orally or by injection.
Under emergency
conditions, it is given intravenously.
Dosage, of course, depends on the
patient, the nature of the illness, and other factors.
(8) The derivatives of morphine are:
(a) Heroin.
(b) Dilaudid.
(c) Dionin.
(d) Dicodid.
c. Heroin (Diacetylmorphine Hydrochloride).
In 1898, a morphine
derivative, heroin, was synthesized.
Initially, it was considered non-
addictive.
It was, therefore, available in easily obtained pharmaceutical
preparations. It became a prime drug for the treatment of morphine addiction.
Heroin was soon found to be the most powerful euphoria-producing drug.
(1) Heroin is obtained through chemically processing morphine base. The
ratio in pounds is about 1 to 1. Heroin is four to five times more potent than
morphine.
(2) Heroin normally appears as a white or tan colored powder. It may be
wrapped in small paper packets or in capsules. However, it is seldom found in
tablet form. The powdery substance is not easily recognized by sight or smell.
Positive identification must be made by laboratory analysis.
Under no
circumstances should you taste the suspected drug.
(3) Heroin is smuggled into the US from Mexico, Europe, and Canada.
(4) Heroin is smuggled in small quantities.
It can be hidden,
therefore, in false bottom trunks, hollowed-out books, or dolls.
It can be
placed in balloons, carried in body cavities, or force-fed to animals. These
animals are later killed and the balloons retrieved.
(5) Methods and symptoms of use are the same as those of the morphine
user.
(6) In the US, the narcotic is prohibited by law as to importation and
manufacture. Heroin is considered seizable contraband whenever found.
(7) Containers in which heroin may be found or transported are listed
below.
(a) The Packet - In this state the heroin comes in glassine or
plastic bags of 2" x 2" or 4" x 4" size.
These items are found at the
distributor level.
6-7
MP0100
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