Opiate Use in Context

Abstract

Opiates constitute a large family of drugs also known as narcotics. Natural opiates (opium, morphine and codeine) are directly derived from the poppy or opium plant (Papaver somniferum). Synthetic opiates (correctly known as opioids) have chemical structures and physiological effects similar to natural opiates but are manufactured in laboratories. Common synthetic opiates include methadone, dihydrocodeine, pethidine, dipipanone and dextromoramide. Heroin, also known as diamor-phine, is a semi-synthetic opiate that is chemically processed from the opium plant. It is the most widely abused of the opiate drugs and derives its name from the word ‘hero’, meaning someone of superhuman strength who is favoured by the gods. Heroin also has a wide range of street names, including ‘smack’, ‘H’, ‘junk’, ‘gear’, ‘brown’, ‘horse’, and ‘skag’.