Drug Usage In America

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Drug Usage in America America has a problem with drugs. In order to understand the problem, we first need to understand what is considered a drug. It is “any ingestible substance that has a noticeable effect on the mind or body”. (Schmalleger, 2011) Drugs are used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes. Unfortunately both types of drugs have played a role in American culture. History of Drug Use Drugs have been part of the American culture as far back as the 1800’s. Using drugs for medicinal purposes existed before the 1800’s but it was during the years 1850 to 1914 when America suffered from what was considered the first epidemic of drug use. Opium During the 1800’s one of the medicinal uses of opiates was targeted toward women for the treatment of “female troubles”. Another interesting aspect of the culture was that alcohol consumption was thought to be unpopular for women but more acceptable for men. The use of opium would not be frowned upon like drinking alcohol would be. These reasons may be contributing factors to the higher incidents of women using opiates. The popular belief is the first drug epidemic began when Chinese immigrants brought the method of smoking opium into the country during the California gold rush. By the late 1890’s opium dens had become popular as dens opened across the country as far away as the eastern coastline. (Illegal Drugs in America: A Modern History, n.d.). Cocaine Cocaine gained popularity in America the late 1800’s as it was used for medicinal purposes in throat lozenges and tonics. “In 1886 John Pemberton of Atlanta, Georgia began to market "Coca-Cola," a syrup derived from coca leaves and African kola nuts. The same year Dr. William Alexander Hammond, the Surgeon-General o... ... middle of paper ... ...useum_idaafde.html Powell, Michael A., "A Comprehensive Analysis of the Drug-Crime Relationship" (2011). Research Papers. Paper 100. Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/gs_rp/100 Schmalleger, F. (2011). 16. Drugs and Crime. Criminal justice today: an introductory text for the twenty-first century (11th ed., p. 572). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. The Buyers - A Social History Of America's Most Popular Drugs | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE | PBS. (n.d.). PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html The History of Illegal Drugs in America | Informative Treatment Articles. (n.d.). The History of Illegal Drugs in America. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/the-history-of-illegal-drugs-in-america/

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