The Facts about Heroin

Children's Literature - RevaBeth Russell

This book is clinical and factual, making it a straight forward read with history, science, and the future of heroin users clearly spelled out. Heroin has been in use for more than 5,000 years and is a product of the opium poppy plant or Papaver somniferum. Hippocrates wrote about heroin as a useful pain reliever. The use of heroin, laudanum, and morphine were common during the Civil War. From the ease of opium harvesting, to explaining the types of heroin that can be produced, to listing the short and long term effects of heroin use, this book does not sugar coat anything. Citing case after case of the "just one use," "not going to happen to me" addicts, one realizes why some are quoted as saying, "Life without energy, life without interest—other than the drug. I only had half a life, if that." The long term mental problems that are associated with heroin use are also enumerated. The physiological aspect of heroin acting like the bodies own natural receptors will answer questions about how heroin works. It is also the fastest-acting of all opiates. Unfortunately, there is no doubt that using heroin will destroy a person's life in all aspects. Fortunately this book features some good news—there are some programs and medications that have shown success. This is not a doom and gloom read but informational, clear, and helpful. It should be available to middle school to college age individuals in schools and public libraries. Reviewer: RevaBeth Russell