Opium is the least potent form the opiates. Opium is the milky substance is derived from the seedpod of the opium poppy and it is highly addictive. Opium has a history of being used to treat pain with written evidence of using the drug dating back as far as three BCE. Currently, opium can be purchased on the street in a powder form where it is smoked, eaten, or injected by users. The United States banned opium in 1905 but this has not slowed down the use or decreased it popularity.
Opium is ingested primarily by smoking or injecting into the bloodstream and is known to be highly addictive. Historically, the plant has also been eaten. Primarily, opium is harvested in Burma and Afghanistan. Because the drug is so addictive, it requires higher and higher doses for the user to experience side effects. These side effects include euphoria, mild hallucinations, numbness and a sense of clam. The drug is notorious because it contains "morphine, codeine, papaverine, and other alkaloids" (dictionary.com). Heroin is the most popular and addictive derivative of opium. Heroin users use the drug because of its immediate effects of peace, calm, and relaxation. It is also said to eliminate feelings of hunger, pain, fear, and frustration. Opium costs vary - it is much more expensive when it is purchased on the black market.
While opium is a natural drug treated to ease pain, there is no reason why its use should be tolerated in the United States. This is primarily because it is so highly addictive. A present American epidemic is that of becoming hooked on painkillers. Because there are so many other options for pain that are far less addictive, they should be chosen over opium.
Works Cited
WordNet® 3.0. Princeton University. Dictionary.com. Site Accessed 16 May. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/opium.
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