Heroin
Heroin (chemical name diacetylmorphine) is an organic chemical substance and an opioid. Heroin is made by the processing of morphine, which is another opioid that naturally comes from the opium poppy plant. In modern times, heroin has been used by humans as an analgesic and a recreational drug.
Heroin is a very potent narcotic painkiller, and is extremely addictive. Along with cocaine and methamphetamine, heroin is often colloquially categorized as a "hard drug", as opposed to "soft drugs" such as marijuana, which is considerably less addictive and harmful. Victims of heroin overdose include celebrities such as Janis Joplin and Bridgette Andersen.
Governments around the world mostly have enacted strict laws against the production, distribution, and possession of heroin. In the United States, it is listed as a Schedule I drug by the Controlled Substance Act, which means it has high potential of abuse and even medical use is disallowed. Street names for heroin include "junk", "dope", and "smack".