Introduction: The Evolution of Drug Abuse in America (From Handbook of Drug Control in the United States, P 1-25, 1990, James A Inciardi, ed. -- See NCJ-126319)

• NCJ Number: 126320
• Author(s): J A Inciardi
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Greenwood Publishing Group
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Although psychoactive drugs have existed for thousands of years, their abuse in the United States has a history of less than 200 years and has resulted from factors such as advances in chemistry and medicine, the discovery of new intoxicants, and a variety of social and political changes.

Abstract

Opium was a common ingredient in the patent medicines that were introduced during the early 1700's. In the 19th century, it became widely advertised in the growing American press. The discovery of morphine and the development of the hypodermic syringe led to widespread use of injected morphine by the end of the 19th century. Cocaine and heroin were also developed during the 19th century, but the patent medicine industry remained unregulated. Concerns about the long-term effects of drugs led to the passage of Federal regulatory laws in 1906 and 1914. By the 1930's, marijuana was another source of concern. Drugs were virtually ignored in the 1940's. However, in subsequent decades, attention focused on heroin, hallucinogens, amphetamines, methaqualone, marijuana, phencyclidine, cocaine, and crack. The popularities of different drugs have constantly shifted and are likely to do so in the future as well. 71 reference notes