SSC 328 Drugs, Society and Human Behavior

Opiates

Opium poppy is bad. The bad thing about opium is that it has many side effects when used in excess. Using Opium may lead to dependency on it. It affects the body negatively by leading to sweating, aching of muscles, insomnia and anxiety. Another evil thing is that it may lead to sexual problems such as infertility. In addition, it may also lead to weight loss and appetite loss.

The first anti-drug law in America was an 1875 San Francisco rule. It outlawed opium smoking in the opium dens. Economically, Chinese men were being feared of persuading white women in ruining their opium dens. In 1888, the rule amended was followed by a Federal legislation that aimed at restricting the Chinese out of the opium business and putting some restriction on opium smoking. (Schaffer Library of Drug policy, 2012).

In Britain, opium was one of the main household products. It was particularly used in treating epidemics such as malaria, cholera diarrhea and fever that affected the country at large. The consumption rate of opium rose because it eased depression, controlled children and their appetites. Other factors that led to the increase in the consumption rate were opium having poisonous properties and it was an intoxicant (Freye, 2009).

Approximately three months after planting the poppy seeds, flowers that are brightly colored blossom at the tips of the tubular stems. When the petals fall away, an egg shaped pod of seeds is exposed. The pod contains a milky sap that is opaque. Extraction of the sap is done by cutting the pod vertically. When the sap is oozing out, it becomes thicker and darker. Later, it forms a black gum that is brownish. The opium is combined with lime in boiled water in the refinery. Morphine forms on the surface. The formed morphine is rewarmed with ammonia, sieved then boiled until it becomes a brown paste. Eventually, it is dried then it is ready for advance processing for it to be heroin (Frontline, 2012).

Heroin can be smoked, snorted or injected. Injecting is one of the fastest and efficient ways of it getting to the brain than any other method. In the brain, heroin is converted to morphine. Many people are influenced by peer groups in using heroin socially (Hays, 2011).

The U.S. government prohibited federal ban on drugs so that it could prevent its use. This is by regulating its manufacture and sales. By considering the Harrison Narcotic Act, some discussions were done concerning the legislation of morality hazards. The act was put into place in order a moral end could be achieved. Since the enactment of that law, enforcement policies and drug laws have not been challenged seriously (Terry, 1915).

Opiates make people to be high by smoking, sniffing or injecting it. Endorphins are chemicals that move from signals in one neuron to the other. They are produced as responses to definite stimuli particularly stress, pain or fear. They mainly originate in different body parts especially the nervous system and brain and network with cell receptors used in blocking pain in the brain (Goldberg, 2009).

In the Trainspotting video, heroin usage has not been glorified. Even though it is realistic and dirty, a film on drug addiction should be based more on drugs like the trainspotting video. The film has not make drugs to be appealing even though other people say that. According to this film, the lifestyle of heroin is basically based on what someone chooses and the choices made (Trainspotting, 1996).

According to an available data, heroin usage has increased in the past years and its rise was seen in young people who smoke and sniff it. Many of these young people do not inject heroin. Some other indicators have shown that the rise has been among adolescents located in small metropolitans. (Isralowitz, 2002).

The first step of making opium tea is grinding the seeds by either using a coffee grinder or a blender. After removing the stem, pour the seeds then blend them. Then brew the blended seeds using a coffee maker. One should put water in the coffee maker so that the brew can be ready for drinking. Consumption of poppy tea is legal (Dr. Opium, 2007).

References

Dr. Opium. (2007). Opium poppy Tea: A Simple Recipe. The Vaults Of Erowid, v1.0.

Freye, E. (2009). Pharmacology and Abuse of Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Related Designer Drugs: A comprehensive review on their mode of action, treatment of abuse and intoxication. New York: Springer. Print.

Frontline. (2012). Transforming Opium Poppies into Heroin. Retrieved Oct 24, 2012 from < http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/transform/>

Goldberg, R. (2009). Drugs Across the Spectrum. Stamford: Cengage Learning. Print.

Hays, J. (2011). Opium, Morphine and Heroin Use. Retrieved Oct 24, 2012 from < http://factsanddetails.com/world.php?itemid=1218&catid=54&subcatid=348>

Isralowitz, R. (2002). Drug Use, Policy and Management. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Print.

Schaffer Library of Drug policy. (2012). The First American Anti-Drug Law. Retrieved Oct 24, 2012 from < http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/histdrug.htm>

Schaffer Library of Drug policy. (2012). When and Why were the opiates and cocaine outlawed? Retrieved Oct 24, 2012 from < http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/opiates_outlawed.htm>

Terry, C.E. (1915). The Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act. American Journal of Public Health. V.5 (6); page 518.

Trainspotting. Dir. Danny Boyle. Writers. Irvine Welsh and John Hodge, 1996. Film.