The guy who knew how to get pure smack

[VincentVan]

My dear fellow travellers
one of the problems that a user has to face in a prohibitionist society is the constant threat of being poisoned (sometimes deliberatedly) by inappropriately cut dope.
Well , belive it or not, I knew a guy who knew a simple chemical method for purifing street heroin so that the smack he injected was (nearly) always (nearly) pure.
This smart ass even told me how he managed the trick.
Let´s see if I can remember the story he told me.

The first thing he insisted upon was that this is a serious chemical process and that extreme care should be taken so as to avoid accidents in the form of explosions or of inadvertently caused production of toxic vapors and/or fumes ,that could cause harm to the would be chemist and to those in close proximity.

Taken a few basic precautions (like opening the window a bit) that´s how he told me he procedeed:

1) He dissolved the street heroin in water

2) He used the easily available Hydrion pH papers to monitor the pH during the procedure. He added some Sodium Hydroxide in solution dropwise while checking the pH. He used a narrow glass or plastic rod to touch a minimum of the drug solution to the paper limiting your waste thereof to an absolute minimum. He stopped when the pH reached about 9

3) He extracted with chloroform. He said that chloroform is far superior to diethyl ether in that it´s non-flammable and does not pose storage problems where explosive peroxides can be formed. (Note: He said that Chloroform is an ideal solvent for heroin, codeine and most other opiates, with the major exception of morphine which requires a mixed solvent).

4) He separated the chloroform layer and washed with a minimum quantity of cold water : 1 or 2 ml. work well. Then he evaporated the chloroform taking care not to burn the residue on the bottom of the beaker. (Note: Chloroform is a known carcinogenic so plenty of ventilation ,even a respirator if possible, would be advisable).

He said that the Chloroform is so volatile that this step is particularly easy to perform.
5) He added a diluted solution of HCI dropwise while stirring with a glass rod . He monitored the pH closely. As the acid was being added , the diacetyl morphine base was being neutralized and converted into the water soluble hydrochloride salt form.

6)When all the solid material had just dissolved , he stopped adding the HCI. He said that this takes place at about pH 5 or 6. (Note: If one tries to bring the pH all the way up to 7, the free base alkaloid precipitates back out requiring the addition of more HCI)

7) He claims that the resulting solution will be in an injectable form and that now it would be completely clear with no colored impurities or particulate matter.

He said also that while the procedure is pretty straightforward for anybody with some prior experience in organic chemistry , it is NOT suggested to those who would find themselves clueless around a separatory funnel.

This chemistry isn´t to be played with.
Once that SWIM was in a rush, he nearly burned down his outhouse/ guest house and had to be taken to the hospital.
It was quite imbarassing because the doc who visited poor SWIM in the ER, was the same who treated him a few weeks before for a somewhat similar accident.
In fact he had a little infection in his mouth (left cheeck, inside) and the antibiotic prescribed from his doc was showing little results.
What he did then, was to take some of his bacteria from the infection and put them in little petri dish with some chicken bouillon, so he started to cultivate his bacteria from his infection: In the cultures that showed most signs of vitality and reproductive activty, he started to experiment with different antibiotics to establish which one was the most effective.
To make a long story shot, when he found a compound that seemed to be a really incredible exterminator of bacteria he started dosing himself with it.
Unfortunately the antibiotic proved so strong that it destroyed not only his little infection but also all the bacterial flora that keeps the mouth healthy.
He could´nt eat for two days.
But that´s another story.

Take care.
VV.

"Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven"
(Milton - Paradise Lost - )

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Very clear and well written procedure
	Very good post.
	one of my favorite posters with one of the best posts.