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An illegal [[narcotic]] drug, manufactured from the opium [[poppy]], cultivated for its properties since at least 3400BC (in [[Mesopotamia]]).

An illegal [[narcotic]] drug, heroin is manufactured from the opium [[poppy]], and has been cultivated for its properties since at least 3400BC (in [[Mesopotamia]]).

'''Heroin''' was briefly commercially marketed as a cough medicine for children, and as substitute for medicinal [[morphine]], having been erroneously believed to be less addictive.

'''Heroin''' was briefly commercially marketed as a cough medicine for children, and as substitute for medicinal [[morphine]], having been erroneously believed to be less addictive.

Apart from medicinal use under strict control, heroin is now banned worldwide, with stringent penalties for its possession, manufacture and trafficking, including the [[death penalty]] in many countries.

Apart from medicinal use under strict control, heroin is illegal nearly worldwide, with harsh penalties for its possession, manufacture and trafficking, including the [[death penalty]] in many countries.

Illegal use of heroin is typically via injection (sometimes mixed with [[cocaine]] - 'speedball'), snorting, or smoking/inhalation - 'chasing the dragon'. Large doses of heroin can be fatal, and the drug has often been used as a [[murder]] weapon.

Illegal use of heroin typically happens via injection (sometimes mixed with [[cocaine]] - 'speedball'), snorting, or smoking/inhalation - 'chasing the dragon'. Large doses of heroin can be fatal, and the drug has often been used as a [[murder]] weapon.