Corbin & Associates, Inc.
School Resource Officer Lesson Plan of the Month
(July 1998)


School Resource Officer Lesson Plan of the Month
(July 1998)


Corbin & Associates, Inc.
School Resource Officer Lesson Plan of the Month
(July 1998)

Topic:  Heroin				Target Group:  High School

Prepared By:  Paul R. Hardwicke		Agency:  Blackfoot Police Department

Address:  501 N. Maple Box 410 
	     Blackfoot, ID 83221		Phone:  (208) 785-1235	
________________________________________________________________________


Objectives:
After this block of instruction the student will be able to:

	1.	Identify what heroin is, and where it comes from.
	2.	Describe the slang names of heroin.
	3.	Identify the effects of heroine use on the body and mind.
	4.	Define addiction, and describe how heroin causes addiction.
	5.	Describe some legal consequences of heroin use and possession.
	6.	Describe some social and personal consequences of heroin use.
	7.	Recognize some signs of heroin use, and how it is used.
	8.	Be familiar with resources to deal with heroin addiction.

Introduction:

I.	Introduce Self
	A.  Background
	B.  Experience

II.	Introduce Subject (Heroin)
	A.  Ask if students have heard of heroin.
	B.  Briefly describe objectives.

Body:

I.	Heroin
	A.  What is it.......
		1.  Narcotic
			a.   Any substance with morphine-like qualities-
			b.   Euphoria, pain relief, relaxed, calm, content.
		2.   Slang/street names: Junk, dope, black tar, china white, 
		horse, hard stuff, white stuff, smack, scag, mud, doogie, 
		Mexican brown.
	B.   Where it comes from/how it is made
		1.   Chemically produced from morphine.
		2.   Morphine is derived from opium, which comes from the 
		opium poppy.
		3.   U. S. Heroin smuggled from Mexico, Canada, and the 
		orient (China)
	C.   What it looks like
		1.   Traditional heroin is a powdery substance ranging 
		from white (purest) to dark brown.
		2.   Newer form of heroin is called black tar.  Black or 
		brown tar-like appearance, which can be soft like tar, 
		or hard like coal.  This heroin is manufactured in Mexico.
	D.   How it is used
		1.   Injected when turned to a liquid state.
		2.   Snorted
		3.   Smoked
	E.   Who uses heroin
		1.   Not just low income people, or junkies.
		2.   Used by people of all social and economic classes.
	F.   Heroin causes a euphoria, in the form of a secure, relaxed 
	feeling.
		1.   Euphoric effect usually lasts 4-6 hours.

II.   	Effects of Use
	A.   Physical
		1.   Slows breathing; nausea, vomiting, fainting, 
		restlessness, drowsiness, constipation, loss of appetite, 
		loss of sex drive, coma, death.
		2.   Overdose
			a.   Heroin is much more pure than it used to be-
			higher risk of overdose.  
			b.   A user does not know the purity, or the additives, 
			which can be deadly.
			c.   Heroin users are often found dead from 
			overdose with the needle still stuck in their body. 
	B.   Mental
		1.   Passive, listless, disinterest in activities and 
		socializing, low reflexes.
		2.   Lose touch with reality-user believes he has no problems 
		or worries, which only leads to more problems.
	C.   Addiction
		1.   Addiction is a condition that happens after a person 
		becomes dependant on a drug, believing he needs that drug 
		both physically and mentally.  Obtaining and using the drug 
		becomes the central focus of that person's life.
			a.   Loses all interest in family, friends, school, 
			work.
			b.   Steals from friends, family, and strangers to 
			support the addiction.
		2.   Why heroin is addictive
			a.   Withdrawal
				1.   A regular user experiences withdrawal 
				symptoms when he stops using heroin.
				2.   Withdrawal occurs because the body has 
				come to expect the heroin as part of the body 
				system.
				3.   Symptoms include: Fever, chills, nausea, 
				aches, diarrhea, muscle spasms.
				4.   A user will continue to use heroin to 
				avoid the painful effects of withdrawal.
			b.   Tolerance
				1.   Body builds tolerance to heroin.
				2.   The user needs more of the drug to 
				maintain the desired euphoric effect, and 
				avoid withdrawal symptoms.
				3.   Needing more of the drug means more 
				money needed to purchase the drug.  Often 
				user will steal more, and eventually sell the 
				drug to other users to support his own habit.

III.   	Legal Consequences
	A.   Schedule 2 Narcotic-Idaho Code
		1.   Possession-7 years prison/$15,000 fine.
		2.   Manufacture/deliver/posses with intent to deliver-5 years 
		to life/$25,000 fine.
		3.   Under influence in public place-6 months/$1,000 fine.
		4.   Lifelong criminal record for any conviction.

IV.	Social Consequences
	A.   Loss of relationships with family and friends.
	B.   Loss of job.
	C.   Loss of home, and other possessions.
	D.   Risk of contracting HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, or other dangerous 
	diseases from using non-sterile or otherwise contaminated needles 
	(Shared needles)

V.	Signs of heroin use-how to recognize a heroin user (This 
	information given so a student who recognizes a heroin user can 
	get that person help)
	A.   Attitude
		1.   Extreme happiness, or extreme depression.
		2.   Severe mood swings
		3.   Apathy
		4.   Sudden loss of interest in friends, activities, and 
		social life.
	B.   Physical signs
		1.   Constricted (small) pupils.
		2.   Droopy eyelids.
		3.   Drowsiness.
		4.   "On the nod"-switching between a near sleep state, to 
		an alert state.
		5.   Low, raspy speech caused by dry mouth.
		6.   Fresh injection marks, or old needle "Track" marks.
		7.   Slow reflexes.  (Long term users exhibit little motor 
		impairment)

VI.	How to help a heroin user
	A.   Contact a teacher, counselor, principal, resource officer, 
	family member, or other responsible person.  Also drug treatment 
	center, or drug counselor.

Review:

I.	Heroin
	A.   Narcotic, very addictive drug, derived from morphine.
	B.   Users can suffer serious health problems, such as heart and 
	lung problems, HIV, AIDS, coma, and death.
	C.   Users lose interest in family, friends, and social life.
	D.   Users may lose their job, home, and all possessions.
	E.   Use, possession, and delivery of heroin has serious criminal 
	penalties.
	F.   A heroin user has many resources from which to obtain help 
	quitting heroin.
		1.   Teacher, counselor, principal, resource officer, family 
		member,responsible person.
		2.   Drug treatment center, or drug counselor.

Practice: (Oral)

1.	Where does heroin come from?
2.	What are some slang names for heroin?
3.	How is heroin uses?
4.	What types of people use heroin?
5.	What effect can heroin have on a person's health?  On their 
social life?
6.	What are some legal consequences for heroin use, and possession?
7.	Is heroin addictive?  Why?
8.	How can you help someone who is using heroin?

Documentation/Resources:
School Resource Officer Training Manual-Corbin & Associates, Inc.
Heroin information pamphlet by-Channing L. Bete Company.
Get It Straight-the facts about drugs United States Drug Enforcement Admin.
Drugs of Abuse 1997 Edition United States Drug Enforcement Administration.