[Opium (heroin * morphine)].

The number of people dependent on opiate drugs, including heroin, is still high, and these abused drugs are major social issues, both in the social science and medically. The mechanisms of physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms in laboratory animals are becoming clear; however, no useful method to detoxify abusers with opioid dependence in clinical situation has been established, and alternative therapy with methadone, used in Europe and America, cannot be used in Japan. Here, I will outline the global trend of opium abuse, including heroin and morphine, and summarize the problems of heroin abuse.