Opioids Quote from Shulgin about opioids from 1976

[red22]

The term "when" rather than "if" heroin substitutes appear is used intentionally, for this transformation seems economically inevitable [4]. The poppy plant from which heroin is obtained grows primarily in the Near or Far East. The plant-produced opium is processed to morphine, which is then converted synthetically into the diacetyl derivative. It is this latter material that is imported into the United States. The current approach to the control of heroin usage is through interference with the importation of this product. As this restriction becomes increasingly effective, and without a corresponding decrease in demand, the drive to create alternative materials that are not opium-dependent will grow.

Drugs of abuse in the future. Shulgin, A. T. 1976. Clinical Toxicology, 8(4), 405–456. DOI: 10.3109/15563657508990076

 

[Felonious Monk]

Is this paper contained in PiHKAL? It sounds familiar.

 

[cocoleti]

Love this paper and actually just used this exact quote a few weeks ago in a talk I gave about opioid use disorder and the current overdose crisis for one of my classes.