The problems with opiates is prohibition. Aside form prohibition they really have zero negative effects aside from addiction although many things are addictive. That said the current system is one of prohibition and thus very dangerous. Not knowing what you are taking and the dose of a substance with a low therapeutic index is a very very big risk that has left a lot of people who have tried it behind. Not to mention all the other filth that it is cut with. I know of 5 people who have died from heroin (or actually fentanyl), however there is no debate that had they known what they were taking and how much they would still be here today.
Additionally the high prices and impure street opiates forces people to use IV to save money and steal to support their habit. If we look at what opiate usage was like prior to prohibition we see virtually no harmful effects. Many normal and successful people used opiates their entire lives and lived to great ages, its use was not associated with crime, overodose or even IV use (some people did but not all).
I am not advocating opiates and I agree with Dwhitty76 and say that from experience I would recommend staying away from stronger opiates, if only because of prohibition. It is much easier to get caught up in this thing than one thinks. Even though it is only a monster because of prohibition that does not negate the fact the prohibition is currently the law of the land. It is just not worth it, it is very hard to ever stop using opiates, if you are one who enjoys them, which only 10-15% of people who try them do. I think one will be fine from using opium occasionally, in SWIMs opinion it is a very different effect than other opiates. Also you need a field to get a decent amount of opium for personal use. Unless you have extra acres good luck even trying to develop a habit.
