Background

Heroin is a painkilling drug made from morphine, which is derived from the opium poppy. Morphine, codeine, and synthetic opiates (i.e. pethidine, dipipanone, and methadone) are sometimes prescribed by GP's in the treatment of addiction to opiates such as heroin. Heroin is a brownish-white powder, which users snort, smoke, or prepare for injection. Heroin and opiates are Class A drugs.