Heroin in Europe — Effects, Risks, Law, Harm Reduction, Scientific Research
Heroin — Key Facts
- Derived from morphine, used illicitly and rarely in medical settings.
- Street names: smack, H, brown, horse.
- Common forms: powder, brown or white, sometimes tar-like.
- Typical doses: 5–20 mg (higher doses increase the risk of overdose).
- Illegal across Europe under various national regulations.
Scientific Research and References
Heroin has been extensively studied in addiction medicine, neurology, and psychiatry. For example, a systematic review in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment highlights the association between non-medical use and increased risk of mental health disorders.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) publishes annual reports documenting heroin consumption, seizure data, and health consequences.
According to a World Health Organization fact sheet, heroin is a psychoactive substance with high dependence potential and significant health risks.
Risks of Unregulated Use
Illicit heroin products often contain unknown adulterants such as fentanyl or other opioids, increasing the risk of overdose. The EMCDDA and UNODC warn that unregulated use contributes to public health issues including infectious diseases and overdose deaths.
Legal penalties for possession, production, or distribution can include imprisonment, fines, and criminal records across Europe.
Medical Use vs. Recreational Use
While heroin is rarely used medically (e.g., diamorphine for severe pain in some countries), recreational use remains illegal and dangerous. Publications in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology emphasize the importance of harm reduction and treatment for dependence.