Wandsworth Drug Action Team (DAT)

THE FACTS: Heroin
Sometimes called: Smack, Brown, Gear, Amps, Scag.

What it looks like:
Heroin comes as a white or brown powder.

How it's used:
It's sniffed,smoked (chased) or injected. Can also come as a clear liquid in a glass ampoule (amps) which is injected or swallowed.

The effects:
Feeling free from worries or problems, feeling relaxed, craving (more and more needs to be taken to get the same effect. Feeling drowsy, feeling sick or dizzy the first time it's taken. Slows down the body and the brain.

The risks:
Injecting heroin brings a risk of damaged veins, HIV and Hepatitis.
Because it's usually cut with other sub-stances, heroin is impure and this can lead to health problems.
Craving heroin makes it a very expensive habit and this can lead to debt or turning to crime to pay for it.
If heroin is taken with other drugs overdose is more likely. Overdosing on heroin can lead to death.

The law:
Heroin is classified as a Class A drug. Having or using Heroin unless it is on prescription can lead to 7 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Supplying Heroin (which includes passing it on to friends) is punishable by up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Getting a criminal record can make it more difficult to travel abroad or get certain jobs.

For information, support, advice or someone to talk to about drugs, call: WDP (Wandsworth Drugs Project) on 07890 266394.