At least 69,000 Bulgarians aged 15-64 used heroin in 2024, the Ministry of Interior reports.
The data are from the National Study “SOVA 5“, published at the end of May by the National Focal Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
It originates mainly from Asian countries, with over 85% coming from Afghanistan.
It is obtained by processing opium poppy. The annual profit on the criminal chain exceeds 65 billion dollars.
Why is it dangerous - heroin is 2-3 times stronger than morphine. It is addictive even after the first doses. Death from an overdose occurs within minutes. It is often mixed with fentanyl - the risk increases many times over. It kills by blocking breathing. It usually comes as a white or brown powder ("brown sugar").
Prolonged use leads to severe damage to the veins, heart, liver and brain. Some of the signs in people using heroin are constantly narrowed pupils, even in the dark, drowsiness and slow reactions, needle marks on the hands, sudden weight loss and poor hygiene, social isolation and changes in behavior.