“In 2014 in the United States alone there were over 47,055 lethal drug overdoses, with 18,893 deaths related to prescription pain killers and 10,574 deaths related to heroin” (“National Opioid…”). Both prescription pain killers and the illegal drug heroin are linked by one key ingredient: opium. Opium is involved in the production of narcotics ranging from prescription medicine to illegal drugs. It has had an impact on many different points in history and on today’s world. From its impact in history and on the modern world to its legal and illegal production and uses, opium has the potential to be a very harmful drug. Opium is produced from the poppy plant species “Papaver somniferum” (“Opium Poppy”), also known as the opium poppy. To harvest
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Heroin is “derived from the morphine alkaloid found in opium” (Anderson). It is most commonly injected but it can also be taken like a pill, smoked, or mixed with other drugs. The world today has seen a massive increase in the use of heroin in recent years. In 2014, there were “over 10,574 overdose deaths related to heroin” (“National Opioids”), and in a 2011 survey on drug use and health by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, it was estimated that “607,000 persons per year used heroin in the years 2009-2011” (Anderson). Because of the negative effect and dangerous properties of the drug, Heroin is strictly outlawed in the United States. It is classified as a Schedule I Drug under the Controlled Substances Act , which means it is illegal to possess and has a “high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medicinal uses, and can cause physiological and physical addiction” (“Narcotics”). Heroin is one of the largest concerns involving opium today. Despite heroin being illegal, many people still use, produce, and sell it. Opium is used to produce of the today’s worst …show more content…
One point in history that widely involved opium was late 1700’s to 1800’s China. At the time, opium was not illegal in China. It was recorded that one-third of Chinese males reported smoking it on a daily basis (“Opium Addiction”). This mass addiction caused many problems for the Chinese government such as wars and political issues that completely changed the country forever. Opium also has a small place in American history. Opiates such as morphine were commonly used as a pain reliever during the Civil War. They were described as being “used extensively by Civil War surgeons as pain relievers” (Lewey 102-119). After the war, it was reported that many veterans were addicted to the morphine and opium given to them for pain relief (Lewey 102-119). These instances from history show the impact the addictive properties of opium can have. From addicted Civil War veterans to mass addiction among the population in China, opium and its products have made its terrible mark on
Heroin is “derived from the morphine alkaloid found in opium” (Anderson). It is most commonly injected but it can also be taken like a pill, smoked, or mixed with other drugs. The world today has seen a massive increase in the use of heroin in recent years. In 2014, there were “over 10,574 overdose deaths related to heroin” (“National Opioids”), and in a 2011 survey on drug use and health by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, it was estimated that “607,000 persons per year used heroin in the years 2009-2011” (Anderson). Because of the negative effect and dangerous properties of the drug, Heroin is strictly outlawed in the United States. It is classified as a Schedule I Drug under the Controlled Substances Act , which means it is illegal to possess and has a “high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medicinal uses, and can cause physiological and physical addiction” (“Narcotics”). Heroin is one of the largest concerns involving opium today. Despite heroin being illegal, many people still use, produce, and sell it. Opium is used to produce of the today’s worst …show more content…
One point in history that widely involved opium was late 1700’s to 1800’s China. At the time, opium was not illegal in China. It was recorded that one-third of Chinese males reported smoking it on a daily basis (“Opium Addiction”). This mass addiction caused many problems for the Chinese government such as wars and political issues that completely changed the country forever. Opium also has a small place in American history. Opiates such as morphine were commonly used as a pain reliever during the Civil War. They were described as being “used extensively by Civil War surgeons as pain relievers” (Lewey 102-119). After the war, it was reported that many veterans were addicted to the morphine and opium given to them for pain relief (Lewey 102-119). These instances from history show the impact the addictive properties of opium can have. From addicted Civil War veterans to mass addiction among the population in China, opium and its products have made its terrible mark on