Heroin black tar

Lonergan S, Rodriguez RM, Schaulis M, Navaran P. A case series of patients with black tar heroin-associated necrotizing fasciitis. J Emerg Med 2004 26(1) 47-50. 

Sandrock, C.E., Murin, S. (2001). Clinical predictors of respiratory failure and long-term outcome in black tar heroin-associated wound botulism. Chest 120 562-6. 

Passaro DJ, Werner SB, McGee J, Mac Kenzie WR, Vugia DJ. Wound botulism associated with black tar heroin among injecting drug users JAMA 1998 279(ll) 859-63. 

From 1980 to the present time, wound botulism has been observed predominantly in illicit drug users following repeated subcutaneous administration of black tar heroin, or in individuals with nasal or sinus lesions from chronic cocaine abuse (Anderson et al., 1997). During the last decade alone, wound botulism from black tar heroin has exceeded the total reported wound botulism cases during the preceding 40 years by a factor of almost three (Sandrock and Murin, 2001). 

Anderson, M.W., Sharma, K., and Feeney, C.M. 1997. Wound botulism associated with black tar heroin. Acad. Emerg. Med. 4 805-809. 

Susceptibility Young infants (2-4 months of age) prior to establishment of normal intestinal flora Self-administering users of IV drugs (often black tar heroin) Antibiotic-treated patients AU exposed individuals AU exposed individuals Patients treated with local toxin ii ections... 

Another form of heroin commonly distributed in the western and southwestern regions of the United States is called Black Tar or Mexican Brown. These varieties are produced in Mexico and—because they re manufactured crudely—have an either hard black coal or sticky, tar-like consistency. Purity rates range from 20-80%. 

The chemical and physical appearance of illicit heroin varies depending upon its origin and synthesis. Pure heroin is a fine white powder, whereas illicit heroin varies in appearance from white to dark brown. Crudely processed heroin, known as black tar, is dark brown to black. The quantity and purity of heroin produced during illicit manufacture is a function of the alkaloidal content of the raw opium, the procedures used to extract morphine, and the techniques used during acetylation and the purification processes. Prior to distribution, illicit heroin is usually mixed with bulk diluents such as quinine. 

Opium Street Names Auntie Emma, big O. black stuff, block, gum, hop, ope, tar (brand generic called tincture of opium, laudanum, paregoric (CUT), B O suppositories [C1H]) Use Some medical uses (antidiarrheal, antitussive, antispas-modic) illegally used to produce morphine and heroin can be swallowed or smoked Actions Narcotic contains morphine Effects Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness/N, constipation, confusion, sedation, resp depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death... 

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