Drug abuse

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Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves, others, and/or society.

History

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Drug abuse of notably alcohol has existed for a long time. See also Prohibition and the "See also" links there regarding various less politically correct related topics. More recently, in particular during and after the 1960s counter-culture, many new drugs have become available and problematic. Some new drugs in the Western world, such as khat, are due to the mass immigration of groups traditionally using it.

More generally on immigration and illegal drugs, see Race and crime: Immigration and crime: Immigrants, drugs, and smuggling. Drugs may be illegal and their abuse cause effects such as providing large income for organized crime in general. Other drugs are legal prescription drugs, but with this abused on a large scale, and possibly also leading to illegal drug abuse. Recently, notably opioid abuse by Whites have been discussed. See the "External links" section.

There have been claims of the opioid crisis having "peaked", but this has been criticized as death statistics improving due to better treatment of overdoses, but this not reflecting decreasing usage.[1] There are various accusation against the Jewish Sassoon and Sackler families, as also discussed in the "External links" section.

Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you’re addicted to drugs, you can’t resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may cause. The earlier you get treatment for drug addiction (also called substance use disorder) the more likely you are to avoid some of the more dire consequences of the disease. Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, sleep and anti-anxiety medications, and other legal substances. You can also get addicted to prescription or illegally obtained narcotic pain medications, or opioids. This problem is at epidemic levels in the United States. In 2018, opioids played a role in two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths. At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose control and can lead to damaging behaviors.[2]

Use of drugs in warfare

Use of mind-altering substances in warfare has included drugs used for relaxation and stimulation. Historically, drug use was often sanctioned and encouraged by militaries through including alcohol and tobacco in troop rations. Stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines were widely used in both World Wars to increase alertness and suppress appetite. Amphetamines were given to troops to increase alertness. They had the added benefits of reducing appetites and fatigue. Germany also embraced amphetamines (Pervitin) during World War II. From April to July 1940, German service members on the Western Front received more than 35 million methamphetamine pills. German troops would go as many as three days without sleep during the Battle of France. Britain admits to distributing at least 72 million amphetamine tablets during the war. The Americans refuse to provide information, but estimates are at 200 million+.

Although amphetamine was thoroughly tested by leading scientists for its effects in boosting or maintaining physical and mental performance in fatigued subjects, the results never provided solid grounds for approving the drug's use, and, in any case, came too late to be decisive. The grounds on which amphetamine was actually adopted by both British and American militaries had less to do with the science of fatigue than with the drug's mood-altering effects, as judged by military men. It increased confidence and aggression, and elevated "morale."[3]

A 2023 report by a British military think tank cited evidence that the Russian military had been giving amphetamines, most likely in liquid form, to its soldiers during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

United States

Drug use for medicinal and recreational purposes has been happening in the United States since the country’s inception. In the 1890s, the popular Sears and Roebuck catalogue included an offer for a syringe and small amount of cocaine for $1.50. (At that time, cocaine use had not yet been outlawed.) In some states, laws to ban or regulate drugs were passed in the 1800s, and the first congressional act to levy taxes on morphine and opium took place in 1890. The Smoking Opium Exclusion Act in 1909 banned the possession, importation and use of opium for smoking. However, opium could still be used as a medication. This was the first federal law to ban the non-medical use of a substance, although many states and counties had banned alcohol sales previously. In 1914, Congress passed the Harrison Act, which regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and cocaine. Alcohol prohibition laws quickly followed. In 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, banning the manufacture, transportation or sale of intoxicating liquors, ushering in the Prohibition Era. The same year, Congress passed the National Prohibition Act (also known as the Volstead Act), which provided guidelines on how to federally enforce Prohibition. Prohibition lasted until December, 1933, when the 21st Amendment was ratified, overturning the 18th. [...] In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan reinforced and expanded many of Nixon’s War on Drugs policies. In 1984, his wife Nancy Reagan launched the “Just Say No” campaign, which was intended to highlight the dangers of drug use.[4]

War on Drugs

The War on Drugs is a phrase used to refer to a government-led initiative that aims to stop illegal drug use, distribution and trade by dramatically increasing prison sentences for both drug dealers and users. The movement started in the 1970s and is still evolving today. The officially persecuted drugs, especially heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, have been declared to be 'public enemy number one.' A factual pandemic of "crack whores" and "crack babies" became commonplace; by 1986, Time had declared "crack" the issue of the year. Barack Obama implemented a "tough but smart" approach to the war on drugs. While he claimed that his method differed from those of previous presidents, in reality, his practices were similar. Mentally deranged leftists propagate the the honorable fight against drug abuse as "racist suppressive agitation against black people". In 2023, the US State Department announced plans to launch a "global coalition to address synthetic drug threats", with more than 80 countries expected to join.

Signs of Addiction

You may have one or more of these warning signs:

  • An urge to use the drug every day, or many times a day
  • Taking more drugs than you want to, and for longer than you thought you would
  • Always having the drug with you, and buying it even if you can’t afford it
  • Using drugs even if they cause you trouble at work or make you lash out at family and friends
  • Spending more time alone
  • Not taking care of yourself or caring how you look
  • Stealing, lying, or doing dangerous things, like driving while high or having unsafe sex
  • Spending most of your time getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug
  • Feeling sick when you try to quit

See also

External links

Opiate epidemic

Mexico

References