OPIATES
Opiates are also known as "narcotics." All are highly addictive. Some like opium, Morphine, Codeine, and heroin are derived from the opium poppy plant. Others like Darvon, Demerol, Methadone, Percodan, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, and other prescribed medications are synthetic (that means man-made) or semi-synthetic.
These drugs are very effective pain killers. If it is necessary, doctors sometimes prescribe some of them, in small doses, for a short period of time.
NOTE
Heroin is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE and withdrawing from it is extremely painful, both physically and emotionally. That's why it is very hard for people to quit using it.
DANGER
Heroin is not prescribed by doctors in the US but it can be obtained illegally, and is a source of drug addiction in our country.
Anytime people share needles or other equipment to inject drugs, they increase the risk of transmitting hepatitis or the HIV virus that can cause AIDS. Sharing a needle, even ONCE, puts users in danger!!
TYPES SLANG
Opium "O.P.," "Dopium," "Guma," "Zero"
Morphine "morph"
Codeine "school boy," "dean"
Heroin "H," "horse," "junk," "smack," "dope"
Methadone "dolly"
Percodan "percs"
Vicodin "vikes"
Oxycontin "Oxy," "OC," "cotton"