When sold at street level heroin is likely to have been diluted or cut with a variety of similar powders. The main dilution is glucose. However, the practice of using other substances such as caffeine, flour and talcum powder is a constant danger to users

Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant.

Heroins potent pain-relieving properties may actually conceal symptoms of real physical illness or disease such as pneumonia and delay treatment.

Over 80% of heroin users inject with a partner, yet 80% of overdose victims found by paramedics are found alone.