# Old Drugs in New America (Opium Wars 2.0) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 18, 2014, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043 "2014-06-18T07:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![independentDemocrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba9def/32.png) [@independentDemocrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentDemocrat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/1 "2014-06-18T07:19:19Z")
Do you like Drugs n dope? Well, we’re America and we got plenty! Merica! Everyone in America is on some sort of pill nowadays but, in the case of opiate addiction it is now hitting epidemic levels. People trust their doctors and doctors trust pharmaceutical companies who in turn profit from selling more drugs. True, opium is the best for pain management but why make an addictive substance more addictive through a similar manufacturing process as cigarettes? I often times hear people say, “well my doctor prescribed them to me.” In the case of GMOs, maybe this too, is a similar scheme? And too many are now on heroin. How the hell did this drug make a come back let alone in suburbia. Along with meth use, heroin is exploding. Only thing is… is where does most of the world’s heroin come from??? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/2 "2014-06-18T08:16:57Z")
Not watching youtube videos. Please provide explanation of what you’re talking about that isn’t some comedian. Also, “In the case of GMOs, maybe this too, is a similar scheme”? No. GMOs are accepted because a massive bulk of research has shown them to be safe. Please put a little more care in constructing your threads. Maybe some statistics about prescription drug use over the last few decades, or opiate addiction, or _anything_ that isn’t a barefaced assertion? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/3 "2014-06-18T12:07:14Z")
I’m not wasting my time watching YouTbue videos, either. > [@independentDemocrat](#): > > Everyone in America is on some sort of pill nowadays I’m not. I’m pretty sure Gary, Indiana is in America. Your assertion is incorrect. > [@](#): > > True, opium is the best for pain management but why make an addictive substance more addictive through a similar manufacturing process as cigarettes? - the class of pharmaceuticals known as “opiates” (almost no one uses actual opium anymore) are the best for ACUTE pain management. They are not as beneficial for chronic pain. - I don’t understand what you’re trying to say about the manufacturing process. So far as i know, no one is formulating opiates to be smoked these days. > [@](#): > > In the case of GMOs, maybe this too, is a similar scheme? No, it is not. > [@](#): > > And too many are now on heroin. How the hell did this drug make a come back let alone in suburbia. Along with meth use, heroin is exploding. People use drugs because drugs work. Heroin numbs pain, not just physical but mental. Meth wakes you up and gives you energy. Of course, they also have side effects that totally suck, too. The fact you think suburbia should somehow be immune to heroin is… precious. Naive. Heroin has ALWAYS been in the suburbs. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/4 "2014-06-18T14:13:54Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > Youtube link redacted. > > Do you like Drugs n dope? Well, we’re America and we got plenty! Merica! > > Everyone in America is on some sort of pill nowadays but, in the case of opiate addiction it is now hitting epidemic levels. People trust their doctors and doctors trust pharmaceutical companies who in turn profit from selling more drugs. > True, opium is the best for pain management but why make an addictive substance more addictive through a similar manufacturing process as cigarettes? > I often times hear people say, “well my doctor prescribed them to me.” > In the case of GMOs, maybe this too, is a similar scheme? > > And too many are now on heroin. How the hell did this drug make a come back let alone in suburbia. Along with meth use, heroin is exploding. > > Only thing is… is where does most of the world’s heroin come from??? > > Link redacted Wouldn’t it be easier just to start your threads with “Hey-Watch my stand-up comedy on You Tube!”? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/5 "2014-06-18T14:17:15Z")
The OP needs more links to that youtube video. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/6 "2014-06-18T14:25:15Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > True, opium is the best for pain management but why make an addictive substance more addictive through a similar manufacturing process as cigarettes? > I often times hear people say, “well my doctor prescribed them to me.” > In the case of GMOs, maybe this too, is a similar scheme? I also can’t watch the YouTube video just now. Does it suggest that opiates are being made more addictive in their manufacture, or are being genetically modified to be more addictive? Otherwise I don’t see what GMOs have to do with anything. Perhaps you can explain. > [@](#): > > Only thing is… is where does most of the world’s heroin come from??? I believe much of the heroin in the US comes from Mexico. [Cite](http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/tracing-the-us-heroin-surge-back-south-of-the-border-as-mexican-cannabis-output-falls/2014/04/06/58dfc590-2123-4cc6-b664-1e5948960576_story.html). Worldwise most of it comes from Myanmar, Afghanistan, Mexico and Columbia. ([Cite - pdf](http://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/WDR_2010/1.2_The_global_heroin_market.pdf)). Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/7 "2014-06-18T14:29:58Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I also can’t watch the YouTube video just now. Does it suggest that opiates are being made more addictive in their manufacture, or are being genetically modified to be more addictive? Otherwise I don’t see what GMOs have to do with anything. Perhaps you can explain. The link is to a comedy routine the OP did at a benefit-a little bit of ranting about drugs, no specifics, and some jokes. ---
**Author:** ![independentDemocrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba9def/32.png) [@independentDemocrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentDemocrat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/8 "2014-06-18T15:13:26Z")
this is 1 of the lamest forums on the entire fuckin internet ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/9 "2014-06-18T15:39:32Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > - the class of pharmaceuticals known as “opiates” (almost no one uses actual opium anymore) are the best for ACUTE pain management. They are not as beneficial for chronic pain. Not quite true. Methadone is one of the main drugs in the arsenal against chronic pain and is an opiate. It won’t get you high so its generally not much of a problem on the street, but the hoops you have to jump through to get it similar to those for Oxycontin. This issue hits very close to home as my wife suffers from extreme neuropathic pain and if not for the methadone she receives from her pain management would be left with the choices of a life spent in bed writhing in pain or suicide. Every time she hears news about how we should simply ban all opioids she becomes literally afraid for her life. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/10 "2014-06-18T15:39:52Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > this is 1 of the lamest forums on the entire fuckin internet So we’ve got that going for us, which is nice! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/11 "2014-06-18T15:40:14Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > this is 1 of the lamest forums on the entire fuckin internet Oh, please - you come in here flailing around and we don’t get all outraged with you standing on your soapbox there, and now you’re not happy. We’ve argued a lot of the topics you start already, usually multiple times, so most of us who have been here already have evidences and counter-arguments. You need to back up your side better. Alternatively, if the purposes is some sort of outrage comedy the place for entertainment is Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/12 "2014-06-18T15:40:16Z")
It certainly is! Where else can we possibly go to find Youtube videos of lame standup routines! Nowhere, that’s where! The WORLD IS CRYING OUT!! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/13 "2014-06-18T15:42:39Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > this is 1 of the lamest forums on the entire fuckin internet So what are you doing here then? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/14 "2014-06-18T15:48:33Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Not quite true. Methadone is one of the main drugs in the arsenal against chronic pain and is an opiate. It won’t get you high so its generally not much of a problem on the street, but the hoops you have to jump through to get it similar to those for Oxycontin. Actually, yes, it most certainly can get you high. I’ve met methadone addicts who use it for that purpose. It doesn’t “peak” like heroin or other more fast-acting opiates do, but in sufficient quantity is will make you high. It’s also a high that lasts longer than for most other opiates, even if not as intense, so I guess that’s attractive to some people. It also does have a significant street value since a dose of it will stave off withdrawal for an addict of other opiates. That is, after all, why it’s used as part of drug treatment, it can help the addict avoid acute withdrawal so they can concentrate on eventually getting off drugs entirely. At least that’s the theory - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Methadone does have a role in pain control, usually to sort of maintain a baseline with additional drugs for “breakthrough” pain. However, the issue of it’s use in chronic pain is contentious, it’s certainly not the first alternative used, and there are definitely problems and side effects associated with long term use. I’d rather not get bogged down in the complexities of chronic pain management here, particularly since treatment really does need to be tailored to the individual. > [@](#): > > Every time she hears news about how we should simply ban all opioids she becomes literally afraid for her life. I’m all for keeping opiates legal, but controlled. Anyone who suggests we simply ban all of them is an idiot with no understanding of their beneficial uses. They’re a powerful tool, but the downside is that they are as potentially harmful in the wrong hands as they are helpful in the right hands. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/15 "2014-06-18T16:12:15Z")
OK, so I’m going to leave this thread open for the moment because there’s a germ of a debate here. But if nothing develops I’ll shut it down. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/16 "2014-06-18T16:18:02Z")
> [@independentDemocrat](#): > > True, opium is the best for pain management but why make an addictive substance more addictive through a similar manufacturing process as cigarettes? Cite for anyone doing that? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/17 "2014-06-18T16:24:01Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Cite for anyone doing that? [Here you go](http://health.insights2.org/Opium.html)…such as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/18 "2014-06-18T17:14:35Z")
Where is all this **stupid** coming from lately? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/19 "2014-06-18T17:42:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Here you go](http://health.insights2.org/Opium.html)…such as it is. Yeah, that’s a good source. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043/20 "2014-06-19T00:44:02Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Where is all this **stupid** coming from lately? 😕 Same place as the zombies? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-drugs-in-new-america-opium-wars-2-0/691043.md?page=2)