Black tar heroin
Black tar heroin is a specific type of heroin, a powerful opioid drug. It is named for its distinctive dark, sticky, tar-like appearance.
Pronunciation
Black tar heroin is pronounced as /blæk tɑːr ˈhɛrəʊɪn/.
Etymology
The term "black tar heroin" is derived from the drug's physical characteristics. It is a form of heroin that is sticky like roofing tar or hard like coal, and is predominantly black in color.
Production and Use
Black tar heroin is produced in Mexico and trafficked into the United States, particularly in the western states. It is less pure than other forms of heroin, due to the crude processing methods that leave behind impurities. Despite its lower purity, black tar heroin may be more potent than other forms of heroin due to the presence of high levels of 6-MAM (6-monoacetylmorphine), a highly active metabolite of heroin.
Black tar heroin can be injected, smoked, or snorted. However, it is most commonly dissolved, diluted, and injected into veins, muscles, or under the skin.
Health Risks
The use of black tar heroin carries significant health risks. These include overdose, mental health issues such as depression and antisocial personality disorder, and physical health problems such as collapsed veins, abscesses, infections of the heart lining and valves, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and liver or kidney disease.
In addition, black tar heroin is often associated with cases of wound botulism, tetanus, and necrotizing fasciitis due to the bacteria and fungi that can be present in the drug.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Black tar heroin
- Wikipedia's article - Black tar heroin
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