(b) Decks - These are small glassine packets about the size of a
band-aid. This is the common form sold on the street when diluted properly.
Each usually contains enough narcotics for two "fixes."
(8) Ways in which heroin is diluted for sale are listed below.
(a) Milk, sugar or mannitol, and quinine are used in the "cutting" or
diluting of the pure heroin.
(b) Diluting is necessary, as administering pure heroin would cause
death.
(9) The price of heroin varies with availability, location, and demand.
(10) Ways of using heroin vary also, as noted.
(a) Heroin, when used by a non-addict, is usually taken through the
nostrils. This is done in much the same manner as one would take snuff; hence,
this method is known as "snorting" or "sniffing."
o
The most common tool or device used in this method is a piece
of paper matchbook cover.
Called a guill, it is folded in
half' so that none of the narcotic is lost.
Then after
placing it in cupped hands, it is raised to the nostril and
sniffed.
o
These telltale pieces of torn matchbook covers are usually
discarded carelessly by users in ash trays and wastepaper
baskets.
Thus, they are easily recovered by investigating
officers. Traces of the narcotic can easily be found by the
laboratory technician. If found in a vehicle, the car can be
impounded.
(b) When the addict or potential addict stops "snorting," he usually
graduates to injections by hypodermic needle just under the skin. This type of
injection is referred to as "skin popping" or "joy popping." No certain area
on the body is spared from this type of injection. The euphoric effects are
then quicker to take effect.
This is because the narcotic enters the blood
stream more rapidly than when one is sniffing.
(c) Mainline - As our potential addict progresses, he finds that he
does not get the effects from the skin-popping method that he originally did.
So he decides to go all the way and inject himself directly into the vein. By
doing so, he eliminates any possible loss of euphoric effect. Within a very
short period, our potential addict becomes a full-fledged one.
He now lives
from shot to shot.
(11) The implements, or "set of works" used by the addict.
(a) Hypodermic needle - Commonly called a "spike" or "gun," this
device may be the elaborate type which includes the permanent syringe and
needle. It could be, though, the plastic throw-away syringe and needle. It
MP0100
6-8
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