Heroin Facts
what type of drug is heroin
an opiate
Name one warning sign that someone may be overdosing
Blue lips, slowed breathing, unconsciousness, choking sounds, etc.
You can get in legal trouble for calling 911 during an overdose everywhere
False — Good Samaritan law protects you
This powerful synthetic opioid is involved in many overdoses because it is extremely strong and often mixed into other drugs
fentanyl
what famous celebrity was addicted to Heroin
Kurt Cobain
Frontman of Nirvana. Struggled with heroin addiction and died in 1994.
Heroin slows down this important body function
Breathing
what can you do if one of your friends is overdosing?
1. Call 911 right away
2. Give Naloxone (Narcan) if available
* Spray into one nostril
* Follow package directions
* You may need a second dose in 2–3 minutes
3. Try to wake them
* shout their name
* rub knuckles firmly on the chest (“sternum rub”)
4. Keep them breathing
* lay them on their side (recovery position)
* if trained, give rescue breaths/CPR
5. Stay with them
* Do not leave them alone until help arrives.
how is heroin made
This opioid is often known by brand names like OxyContin and Percocet
oxycodone
who are some other celebrities that struggled with heroin addiction
David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John
what types of heroin are there and what do they look like?
do teens still do heroin?
it is not as popular as before but heroin or fentanyl can be in drugs you buy without you knowing
why are opiates highly addictive
1) They flood the brain’s reward system
2) They copy the body’s natural painkillers
3) The brain adapts quickly (tolerance)
4) Withdrawal reinforces use
5) It affects judgment and control
This opioid painkiller is often known as “Vic” or “Vikes.
Vicodin
You feel angry and your body is tense. This coping skill means taking slow breaths in and out.
deep breathing
how might heroin be packaged/distributed?
what is a safe dose of heroin?
There is no safe dose of Heroin.
The strength can vary a lot from batch to batch, and many drugs today are mixed with Fentanyl or other substances without people knowing. A dose that one person survives could cause another person to stop breathing.
why do teens become addicted to heroin
1) The teen brain is still developing
2) Strong dopamine “reward” effects
3) Stress, trauma, and mental health
4) Peer influence and access
5) Misuse of prescription opioids
6) Withdrawal and dependence cycle
7) Unpredictable drug supply today
This opioid is commonly used in hospitals for severe pain and sometimes during surgery.
morphine
You feel sad and want to express yourself privately. This coping skill involves writing thoughts and feelings.
journaling
You can tell if a pill contains heroin or fentanyl just by looking at it.
false- you cannot tell
who is at a higher risk of overdosing
1) Teens who don’t have tolerance (new or occasional users)
2) Teens using unknown or fake pills
3) Teens mixing substances
4) Teens using alone
5) Teens with mental health stress or trauma
6) Teens with past substance use or relapse
7) Teens in high-access environments
what are the most common mental health issues teens struggle with
depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, substance use disorders
Someone is stressed, offered drugs, and feels pressured. Name TWO healthy coping choices they could use instead.
You feel numb and unmotivated. This coping skill involves doing something small you enjoy even if you don’t feel like it.
behavioral activation
Behavioral activation is a simple idea used in therapy for depression and low mood. For teens, it basically means doing something to feel better even if you dont feel like it.