Biro Kawalan Narkotik

Bahasa Melayu Version

Natural Origin of Heroin

Poppy “Papaver Somniferum” or better known as Opium Plant

HISTORY

The poppy Papaver Somniferum is the main source of the non-synthetic narcotics. It was grown in the Mediterranean region as early as 300 BC During this period it has been used both as an intoxicant and as a medicinal drug.

In the 19^th Century, the British and French wage a monopoly-like opium trade with China causing widespread opium smoking among the Chinese. Then in the late 19^th and early 20^th Century, with the developments of stronger opiates i.e. heroin, most Western countries experienced a serious social and medical problem.

LIFE CYCLE OF A POPPY

Poppy Flower

Poppy is an annual plant grown best in temperate, warm climates with low humidity. It has since been cultivated in countries around the world, including Hungary, Yugoslavia, Turkey, India, Burma, China and Mexico and most recently in Colombia and Bolivia. (1) The entire growth circle of a poppy is 120 days. Poppy starts to flower in about 90 days. Poppy petals start to drop after 2-4 days. The pod is scored to extract opium. The pod is scored about two weeks after the poppy petal drop.

Opium is extracted by scoring verticallyfrom top to bottom

Poppy pod is scored two to three times in a vertical direction. The cut needs to be shallow about 1 millimeter to allow the opium latex to flow slowly. The latex is milk-white but turns dark brown or black after exposure to air.

The biggest sources of opium cultivation are found in the "Golden Triangle" (Thailand, Laos and Myammar) and the "Golden Crescent" (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan)

Opium gum is collected using hand-held metal implements.

Poppy pod is score late in the afternoon, which needs to coagulate overnight. The latex is collected early next morning. It is scraped off the pods with a flat blade. The pods produce opium for several days and can be harvested up to 5-6 times. Pods are cut open and seeds removed, dried and stored for next planting. One acre of poppies will yield 3-9 kg of opium.

Opium contains several alkaloids, with morphine a prime one. (2) The morphine content in opium varies between 5 to 20 per cent. Other important alkaloids are nicotine, codeine, papaverine and thebaine. (3) The remaining bulk consists of water, minerals and organic components, such as acids, sugar, wax etc.

EXTRACTION OF OPIUM TO MORPHINE

Opium latex

Opium is added to boiling water and lime (Calcium Hydroxide). It is then reheated and Ammonium Chloride is added. Morphine base is collected and dry under the sun. Morphine base is dissolved with hydrochloric acid to form morphine hydrochloride.

13 kg of opium will yield 1.3 kg of morphine hydrochloride.

Alkaloids: - Any of a class of vegetable bases often uses as drugs.

Codeine: - Most codeine is produced from morphine. As compared with morphine, codeine produces less analgesia, sedation and respiratory depression. It is by far the most widely used naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment.

Thebaine: - Chemically similar to both codeine and morphine. It produces stimulant rather than depressant effect.

CONVERSION OF MORPHINE TO HEROIN

Heroin
Morphine hydrochloride is then heated and mixed with acetic anhydride. (4) Later water is added (3 times the amount of acetic anhydride) and dissolve with sodium carbonate. Heroin base precipitate out. It is then filter out and left to dry.

Heroin base is sometime called brown heroin

It takes 22 kg of opium to yield 1.5kg of heroin

DRUG TYPES – HEROIN

Heroin is a derivative of morphine and is highly addictive. Heroin is a sedative drug, which depresses the nervous system. In the illegal production of heroin, the goal is to produce heroin hydrochloride ('pure heroin') by adding hydrochloric acid to heroin base. The resulting compound is heroin hydrochloride. Heroin hydrochloride is a lightly coloured powder with shades varying from white or light grey to brown depending upon the contaminants and the treatment during manufacture. Heroin hydrochloride is much purer than heroin base; i.e. it has a higher concentration of the intoxicating substance. Heroin hydrochloride is a water-soluble powder and therefore needs no mixing with acid before injection.

Other methods of abusing heroin may be mixed with tobacco and smoked or it may be placed on a sheet of aluminium foil and heated by a flame, the resultant fumes being inhaled through a paper tube (a method of use known as ‘chasing the dragon’). However, the high cost of the drug means that heavy users prefer to inject the drug intraveniously, ensuring that they get the most effect from a limited quantity of the drug.

An important 'essential chemicals' to convert morphine hydrochloride to heroin base.

Syringe is another method of drug abuse

EFFECTS

Initially, heroin induces a siege of pleasure or rush. The second effect which is not yet fully understood, is that produced by the chemical’s reaction of the brain. Among experienced users, it usually results in a general feeling of contentment and relaxation followed by drowsiness. Inexperienced users often just experience drowsiness

Immediate effects include: -

relief of pain

euphoria

suppression of coughing

depression of bowel activity

a lower breathing rate

slowed and slowed speech

slow gait

constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, impaired night vision

vomiting

decreased sexual pleasure, indifference to sex

sedation and coma

HIV infection from injection

Addiction

Irregular blood pressure

Death from overdose

As tolerance develops, require more heroin to achieve the 'high'

HEROIN USE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

The main source of heroin in Brunei Darussalam comes from the Golden Triangle mainly countries bordering Thailand , Laos and Myammar. Today heroin usually comes as an off white or pink powder. Prevalence of heroin consumption in Brunei Darussalam remained at a relatively low level since the establishment of the Narcotics Control Bureau in October 1988.

Illicit traffic in heroin remained small and normally less significant as the demand market remained limited and abuse of heroin is low. Despite this situation, heroin consumption in Brunei Darussalam is concentrated in persons aged less than 30 years with an affluent background and of an ethnic Chinese origin. In most cases, the heroin is obtained only for abusers personal consumption.

LEGISLATION ( LAWS OF BRUNEI, MDA CAP 27)

It is illegal to supply or possess heroin without a prescription or to produce, import them without authority. It is also an offence to allow premises to be used for supplying or producing them.

Heroin is treated as Class A drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act Cap 27, Law of Brunei Darussalam. The maximum penalties for trafficking, possession, import and export of 15 grams or more of heroin is death by hanging. Currently there have not been any such cases in Brunei Darussalam, whereby persons are found to trafficking in, import or export of heroin.

Prepared by

Research Division

Narcotics Control Bureau

Prime Minister's Office

Brunei Darussalam

RESOURCE MATERIALS / BIBLIOGRAPHY

US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Drugs of Abuse - 1996 Edition, (1998) U.S. Government Printing Office.

US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Worldwide Heroin Situation 1991, (1992) U.S. Government Printing Office.

U.S. Customs Service - Treasury, Narcotics Identification Manual, (1988), U.S. Government Printing Office.

Swannell, J., The Little Oxford Dictionary - 6^th Edition, (1996), Clarendon Press Oxford

Swedish National Police Board, Narcotics Drugs - Psychotropic Substances and Doping Agent - An Illustrated Guide, (2000), Mediahuser Goteborg AB.

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	Bahasa Melayu Version
	Natural Origin of Heroin Poppy “Papaver Somniferum” or better known as Opium Plant HISTORY The poppy Papaver Somniferum is the main source of the non-synthetic narcotics. It was grown in the Mediterranean region as early as 300 BC During this period it has been used both as an intoxicant and as a medicinal drug. In the 19^th Century, the British and French wage a monopoly-like opium trade with China causing widespread opium smoking among the Chinese. Then in the late 19^th and early 20^th Century, with the developments of stronger opiates i.e. heroin, most Western countries experienced a serious social and medical problem. LIFE CYCLE OF A POPPY Poppy Flower Poppy is an annual plant grown best in temperate, warm climates with low humidity. It has since been cultivated in countries around the world, including Hungary, Yugoslavia, Turkey, India, Burma, China and Mexico and most recently in Colombia and Bolivia. (1) The entire growth circle of a poppy is 120 days. Poppy starts to flower in about 90 days. Poppy petals start to drop after 2-4 days. The pod is scored to extract opium. The pod is scored about two weeks after the poppy petal drop. Opium is extracted by scoring verticallyfrom top to bottom Poppy pod is scored two to three times in a vertical direction. The cut needs to be shallow about 1 millimeter to allow the opium latex to flow slowly. The latex is milk-white but turns dark brown or black after exposure to air. The biggest sources of opium cultivation are found in the "Golden Triangle" (Thailand, Laos and Myammar) and the "Golden Crescent" (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) Opium gum is collected using hand-held metal implements. Poppy pod is score late in the afternoon, which needs to coagulate overnight. The latex is collected early next morning. It is scraped off the pods with a flat blade. The pods produce opium for several days and can be harvested up to 5-6 times. Pods are cut open and seeds removed, dried and stored for next planting. One acre of poppies will yield 3-9 kg of opium. Opium contains several alkaloids, with morphine a prime one. (2) The morphine content in opium varies between 5 to 20 per cent. Other important alkaloids are nicotine, codeine, papaverine and thebaine. (3) The remaining bulk consists of water, minerals and organic components, such as acids, sugar, wax etc. EXTRACTION OF OPIUM TO MORPHINE Opium latex Opium is added to boiling water and lime (Calcium Hydroxide). It is then reheated and Ammonium Chloride is added. Morphine base is collected and dry under the sun. Morphine base is dissolved with hydrochloric acid to form morphine hydrochloride. 13 kg of opium will yield 1.3 kg of morphine hydrochloride. Alkaloids: - Any of a class of vegetable bases often uses as drugs. Codeine: - Most codeine is produced from morphine. As compared with morphine, codeine produces less analgesia, sedation and respiratory depression. It is by far the most widely used naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment. Thebaine: - Chemically similar to both codeine and morphine. It produces stimulant rather than depressant effect. CONVERSION OF MORPHINE TO HEROIN Heroin Morphine hydrochloride is then heated and mixed with acetic anhydride. (4) Later water is added (3 times the amount of acetic anhydride) and dissolve with sodium carbonate. Heroin base precipitate out. It is then filter out and left to dry. Heroin base is sometime called brown heroin It takes 22 kg of opium to yield 1.5kg of heroin DRUG TYPES – HEROIN Heroin is a derivative of morphine and is highly addictive. Heroin is a sedative drug, which depresses the nervous system. In the illegal production of heroin, the goal is to produce heroin hydrochloride ('pure heroin') by adding hydrochloric acid to heroin base. The resulting compound is heroin hydrochloride. Heroin hydrochloride is a lightly coloured powder with shades varying from white or light grey to brown depending upon the contaminants and the treatment during manufacture. Heroin hydrochloride is much purer than heroin base; i.e. it has a higher concentration of the intoxicating substance. Heroin hydrochloride is a water-soluble powder and therefore needs no mixing with acid before injection. Other methods of abusing heroin may be mixed with tobacco and smoked or it may be placed on a sheet of aluminium foil and heated by a flame, the resultant fumes being inhaled through a paper tube (a method of use known as ‘chasing the dragon’). However, the high cost of the drug means that heavy users prefer to inject the drug intraveniously, ensuring that they get the most effect from a limited quantity of the drug. An important 'essential chemicals' to convert morphine hydrochloride to heroin base. Syringe is another method of drug abuse EFFECTS Initially, heroin induces a siege of pleasure or rush. The second effect which is not yet fully understood, is that produced by the chemical’s reaction of the brain. Among experienced users, it usually results in a general feeling of contentment and relaxation followed by drowsiness. Inexperienced users often just experience drowsiness Immediate effects include: - relief of pain euphoria suppression of coughing depression of bowel activity a lower breathing rate slowed and slowed speech slow gait constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, impaired night vision vomiting decreased sexual pleasure, indifference to sex sedation and coma HIV infection from injection Addiction Irregular blood pressure Death from overdose As tolerance develops, require more heroin to achieve the 'high' HEROIN USE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM The main source of heroin in Brunei Darussalam comes from the Golden Triangle mainly countries bordering Thailand , Laos and Myammar. Today heroin usually comes as an off white or pink powder. Prevalence of heroin consumption in Brunei Darussalam remained at a relatively low level since the establishment of the Narcotics Control Bureau in October 1988. Illicit traffic in heroin remained small and normally less significant as the demand market remained limited and abuse of heroin is low. Despite this situation, heroin consumption in Brunei Darussalam is concentrated in persons aged less than 30 years with an affluent background and of an ethnic Chinese origin. In most cases, the heroin is obtained only for abusers personal consumption. LEGISLATION ( LAWS OF BRUNEI, MDA CAP 27) It is illegal to supply or possess heroin without a prescription or to produce, import them without authority. It is also an offence to allow premises to be used for supplying or producing them. Heroin is treated as Class A drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act Cap 27, Law of Brunei Darussalam. The maximum penalties for trafficking, possession, import and export of 15 grams or more of heroin is death by hanging. Currently there have not been any such cases in Brunei Darussalam, whereby persons are found to trafficking in, import or export of heroin. Prepared by Research Division Narcotics Control Bureau Prime Minister's Office Brunei Darussalam RESOURCE MATERIALS / BIBLIOGRAPHY US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Drugs of Abuse - 1996 Edition, (1998) U.S. Government Printing Office. US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, Worldwide Heroin Situation 1991, (1992) U.S. Government Printing Office. U.S. Customs Service - Treasury, Narcotics Identification Manual, (1988), U.S. Government Printing Office. Swannell, J., The Little Oxford Dictionary - 6^th Edition, (1996), Clarendon Press Oxford Swedish National Police Board, Narcotics Drugs - Psychotropic Substances and Doping Agent - An Illustrated Guide, (2000), Mediahuser Goteborg AB.

\|\| NCB Information \| Drug Laws \| Customer Services \| Preventive \| Supervision \| Social Services \|\| \|\| Statistics \| Research \| Public Cooperation \| Feedback \|\| \|\| Home \| Government \| Ministries and Departments \| About Brunei \| On-line News \| Important Contacts \|\|