Francis Moraes
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Francis Moraes, whose online pseudonym is Dr. H, is an American writer, author of three opiate related non-fiction books and numerous articles.
Moraes trained as a research physicist and chemist and attained a Ph.D. in physics. He became interested in the vivacious heroin subculture in Portland, Oregon -- the number two most vibrant heroin city second to New York City (according to DEA statistics) -- while previously working as a physics professor at Portland State University. Since he has spent numerous years avidly studying the vibrant subcultures in Portland, New York City, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay area. Francis Moraes is also responsible for conducting and contributing extensive academic research and analysis within but not limited to the pharmacological genre, and is a celebrated author among scholars and drug enthusiasts likewise. He is married to Debra Moraes who has obtained a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. This remains an integral component within her arsenal intended to help alleviate the suffering of addicts of opium-derived drugs and abstain from their dependence. Debra Moraes M.A. has traveled throughout Asia for three years where she has observed first-hand the effects of the opium-trade, as well as the use and abuse within the cultures of Asia. In most recent years she has become increasingly interested in the "Methadone Maintenance" industry within the United States, and currently is studying the effects of Methadone on the entirety of the body.
Writing from a position of harm reduction, Moraes neither demonizes nor glorifies opioids, and aims only to provide drug users and other curious readers and scholars alike with objective perception, useful, and factual information about opioids should they choose to recreationally use them.
Francis Moraes was once a passionate heroin user who admits in contemplative moments that he falls somewhere between the mixed feelings of some days thinking it's the greatest thing in the world, whilst on other days, thinking people are crazy to even try it. Although he no longer uses, it is this very belief that signifies his objective neutrality regarding heroin and other opioids. His most important themes are without a doubt the irony of most anti-drug books portraying the vilification of heroin to be far worse than he does within his books. Particularly, the anti-drug books tend to overemphasize the 'dominating euphoria' associated with the heroin high yet ignoring or altogether dismissing other undesired side-effects such as nausea and histamine release and understate how bad withdrawal is. His demeanor and efforts do have an advantage in that he is well aware that people make their own choices, (although the government thinks it can make choices for people) and thus via providing them with the most objective information available, he allows people to make the most well-informed decisions possible. People have regarded Francis Moraes as having a savior complex; although, he considers himself to be less like Jesus Christ and more like Moses in the ideology of not attempting to create a perfect world - yet, simply wanting his people to survive.
Currently, Francis Moraes is working on a radical novel within the self-help genre intended to be a manual for the families of addicts aptly titled "So Your Daughter's a Crack Whore." Also, he is working on completing his second novel whose title is yet to be released involving an ex-heroin addict whose wife has been brutally murdered and thus, due to his past, is a prime suspect involved within the investigation.
[edit] Works
- The Little Book of Opium
- The Little Book of Heroin
- The Heroin User's Handbook
[edit] External links
- Heroin Helper: Moraes' official website. Currently his website is not up and running. Details regarding this are to be announced.
- Works by or about Francis Moraes in libraries (WorldCat catalog)