Uses Drugs of Abuse—Origins and Effects - Natural Narcotics

Narcotics are opium, opium derivatives, or synthetic substitutes used medically to relieve intense pain. (See Table 2.1.) The main source of nonsynthetic narcotics is resin from the poppy Papaver somniferum. (See Figure 2.1.) Opium gum is produced from the resin, which is scraped by hand from cut, unripe seedpods and air-dried.

A more modern method of harvesting, known as the industrial poppy straw process, involves extracting alkaloids (organic compounds found in living organisms) from the mature dried plant. The extract may be in a number of forms. Most poppy straw concentrate made available commercially is a fine brownish powder with a distinct odor.

Opium

Opium can come in several forms, but it usually appears as dark brown chunks or powder that can be either smoked or eaten. The DEA claims that there is little opium abuse in this country because of laws governing the production and distribution of narcotic substances. Numerous drugs derived from or chemically similar to opium, however, are popular in the United States.

At least twenty-five alkaloids, divided into two general categories, can be extracted from opium (Dzulkfli Abdul Razak, "Narcotic Abuse: Effects and Treatment," http://www.prn2.usm.my/mainsite/bulletin/sun/1996/sun30.html). Drugs of the first type, represented by morphine and codeine, are used as analgesics (pain relievers) and cough suppressants, and are known as phenanthrene alkaloids. Those in the second group, isoquinoline alkaloids, are used as intestinal relaxants and also as cough suppressants.

Isoquinoline alkaloids have no significant influence on the central nervous system and are not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. Virtually all of the opium imported into this country is broken down into alkaloid constituents—principally morphine and codeine.

FIGURE 2.1
Opium poppies. (© Galen Rowell/CORBIS.)

Morphine

Morphine is one of the most effective drugs known for pain relief. It is marketed in the form of oral solutions, sustained-release tablets, and injectable preparations. It is odorless, bitter, and darkens with age. Morphine can be administered orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously, the latter method being the one most frequently used by drug addicts. Tolerance and dependence develop rapidly in the user.

Morphine is used legally only in hospitals or hospices, usually to control the severe pain resulting from such illnesses as cancer. Only a small portion of the morphine obtained from opium is used medicinally; most is converted to codeine and, secondarily, to hydromorphone, a powerful pain killer.

Codeine

Codeine is found in raw opium. Although it occurs naturally, most is produced from morphine. Compared with morphine, codeine produces less pain relief but also produces less sedation and respiratory depression. It is used for moderate pain relief by itself or combined with other products, such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Robitussin AC and Cheracol are examples of liquid codeine preparations. According to the DEA, codeine is the most widely used naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment.