When people hear about The Epidemic of Opioid Addiction, they assume it is a new outbreak among our society. However, this issue has been around for centuries. However, did you know addiction to the highly addictive drug, Opioid, can start from something as innocent as a filling a prescription from a doctor? The best defense to educate oneself about the
The Drug
Opiates are highly addicted drugs from the opium plant and its cultivation and usage dates as far back as 3,400 B.C. Also known as the “Joy Plant,” the drug was used for more than relieving pain as it is used today. For instance, this drug was once used to induce steep, treat coughs, and to give relief to the bowels. The ingredients occur in the sap of the opium poop which is called opiates. On the other hand, the further synthetic human-made manipulation of the drug is called opioids. Even though there is a major difference in the two names, opiates and opioids are often used interchangeably.
The Opioid Breakouts in U.S. History
The abuse of the drug is approximately as old as the existence of the drug. However, the opioid epidemic has struck the United States in three major times in history and as early as the 19th century. The first outbreak was during the years of the Civil War mostly because of hypodermically injected morphine to ease the pain. As a result. Thousands of lives were lost between the 1870s and 1920s due to the abusing use of the opioid drug. Even though the epidemic stayed under the radaring the 1930s and 1940s, it resurfaced in the late 1950s and through the 1970s. Next, American suffered from the crack-cocaine era of the 1990s. Today, the opioid is still as big of a problem as it was in the 19th century. Every day, more than 150 people die from an opioid overdose.
The Stand Against the Drug
Throughout the various waves of this epidemic, the government learned the way to contain it where the hope of finally defeating this plague is highly possible. First, doctors and pharmacies are held responsible for the assigning and distribution of highly-addicting drugs. Secondly, the government officials started passing regulations, acts, and policies which intensified the penalties and punishment for illegal drug use and distribution. Next, the government started initiatives to educate adults and children about the effects and consequences of illegally using and distributing drugs. Lastly, a Public State of Emergency was declared and rolled out a 5-Point Strategy to Combat the Opioid Crisis. For more information on this subject, please visit The National Institute on Drug Abuse website here.
Common Names and Use of the Drug Today
Opiates are often distributed as prescription pharmaceuticals, such as morphine, codeine, methadone, and street drugs, such as heroin and opium itself. The following information is a list of some of the street names for the abused drug:
- Hammer
- Smack
- Horse
- Elephant
- Rock
- China White
- White
- Dragon
Contact Us Today
At Starr Law, P.C., we understand that sometimes things can spiral out of your control. That is why we are here to help you through every step your legal process. We care about your well being and want to help you retrieve the best outcome out of your situation. For more information about our services, you can contact us at 214.982.1408 or visit our website here. We are here to help you.
