Heroin is an opiate that can be synthesized from morphine, a common anesthesia.

The immediate effects of heroin are short lasting and include a sense of euphoria as well as a warm, safe feeling. Long term effects of the drug can include addiction/dependency, decreased quality of overall mood, and decreased cognitive function. Unfortunately, this doesnt begin to scratch the surface of the negative effects heroin can have on peoples lives. Listed below are three major problems to individuals and society that result from heroin addiction. Similar to methadone, heroin can be used to treat heroin addiction by suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for the drug. This treatment is administered in the form of regular decreasing doses of heroin and, as with methadone, should definitely be coupled with counseling. Studies have shown this to be more effective at treating addiction than methadone *2. For certain patients, it was the only treatment that provided the initial relief they needed to begin The success of decriminalization in Portugal shows that it can be a viable form of treatment for heroin addiction *4. The most important part of this treatment is the necessary change in the way heroin addicts are viewed by society. Decriminalization would allow for those convicted of possession to receive treatment for their addiction rather than a jail sentence which does nothing to help them. Methadone is an opiate that can be used to treat heroin addiction by suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for heroin. The issue with this treatment is that it takes a long time. As a result, patients can become increasingly impatient and frustrated until they eventually relapse *1. Coupling this medication with mandatory counseling would reduce this frustration and, as a result, rates of relapse. A safer injection facility is a clinic that allows its patients to bring in their pre-obtained narcotics and use them in a safe, secure environment. The advantage with this treatment is that it has demonstrated to decrease rates of overdoses, crime, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by treating those who are not receiving treatment for their addiction *3.

Overdoses Street drug use and crime The spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The goal of the proposed treatments in this brochure is to cause a reduction in the problems listed above.

their recovery.

We need a better way to deal with heroin addiction in Richmond! Listed below are four proposed treatments for heroin addiction which, if implemented, would lead to a reduction in overdoses, crime, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in Richmond, Virginia. Mandatory counseling for those receiving methadone maintenance treatment. A new opioid maintenance treatment using heroin. The installation of a Safer Injection Facility.

All four of the treatments described in this brochure have been demonstrated to lead to a decrease in street-drug use, crime, overdoses, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Implementation of one or more of these treatments in Richmond, VA would have a positive effect on the community and the wellbeing of those individuals suffering from heroin addiction. References
*1 Joanne Neale, Sarah Nettleton, and Lucy Pickering (January 1, 2013). Does recovery-oriented treatment prompt heroin users prematurely into detoxification and abstinence programmes? Qualitative study. Science Direct. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037687161 2002621 *2 Faure, G (September 28, 2009). Why Doctors Are Giving Heroin to Heroin Addicts. Time. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1926160,00 .html *3 Clow, E (May 18, 2011). When Policy Trumps Science: The Story of Insite. Skeptic North. Retrieved from http://www.skepticnorth.com/2011/05/when-policy-trumpsscience-the-story-of-insite/ *4 Szalavits, M (April 26, 2009). Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work? Time. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00 .html

Decriminalization of heroin.

BY JANOS LEITNER-WISE

Statement of Purpose: My targeted audience is politicians in Virginia. I chose to translate my argument into the form of a brochure so that it could be handed out at various political gatherings. The concise information is meant to spark interest in my topic and related information is listed in the references section for anyone who wants it. The clean and inoffensive aesthetic is meant to appeal to politicians who may not be interested in more abstract or out there designs.