Unreacted morphine and codeine are also present in some poorly processed heroin, which may bring about adverse reactions in users, espe, and hence it may contribute to street heroins toxicity. Unreacted morphine and codeine are also present in some poorly processed heroin, which may bring about adverse reactions in users, especially when the drug is injected intravenously. Thebaine is decomposed by acetylation, and although the decomposed product, acetylthebaol, is sometimes present, it is not thought to have any harmful effect. After step 4, diluents and adulterants may be added either by the manufacturer or by parties further along the distribution chain. Purification of opium.
Raw opium is placed in an open cooking pot of boiling water.
This should dissolve all of the alkaloids in the opium, while solid plant material, soil, twigs, etc. remain undissolved and float to the top of the solution. Solid impurities are scooped out or filtered by straining the mixture though cheesecloth or burlap. The liquid is then re-heated over a low flame, evaporating the water to leave behind a thick, dark paste, which is then dried in the sun. At this point the product may be exported for smoking or eating or consumed locally. This process may be carried out by farmers before shipping for consumption or further processing, or the raw opium may be transported to heroin manufacturing sites where the preparation is undertaken on a larger scale.